The newest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only gadget required to venture almost any location and track every activity.
This positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or similar pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including various allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically send a link to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, although the real location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services available via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are slow, limited smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
