This most recent iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's top device and designed to be the single gadget required to venture almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
That makes it an very pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or comparable activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans including various allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, though the actual location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to note that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with any 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 jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable functionality versus competing watches.
