The latest version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.
This positions it as an very pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts over orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans including different allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
After 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 similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone 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 includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically send a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, though the actual position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of 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 kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with options offered via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital features need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
