This latest version of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single tool required to explore 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 model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts over satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own send a link to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, though the real position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays 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 easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to remember that satellite service is restricted 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 serviceable with services offered via the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal programs on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.
