This newest iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor watch includes a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the only gadget required to venture almost anywhere and track all your movements.
This makes it an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure tracking. The full offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans including various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically send a link to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, though the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with services available via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want 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 needing anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
