This latest iteration of the top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new 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 single tool required to explore virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £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 variant with microLED screen – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or similar pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts via orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans offering different allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, though the actual position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services available through the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling 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 additional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
