The most recent iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the single gadget required to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.
This positions it as an very pricey option, priced from £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 edition with microLED display – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
Whenever 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 communicate back and forth via text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately 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 expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, although the actual location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services available through the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin 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 texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
