This latest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's top device and engineered to be the single tool required to venture almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
This positions it as an extremely pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not included for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar activities – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans including various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the actual location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with options offered via the customer service site. 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 recycling programs on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite functions need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are sluggish, limited wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
