The most recent iteration of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's top device and designed to be the only tool needed to explore virtually any location and monitor every activity.
This positions it as an extremely expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of depending 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.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or similar pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering different quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited 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 venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends 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 message reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, although the actual location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches 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, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with options offered via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
