This most recent iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the only gadget required to venture virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.
This makes it an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not provided for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out running, biking or comparable activities – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including various quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own send a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has generally worked well, although the real location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to note that satellite service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services offered via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
