The newest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the single gadget needed to explore virtually anywhere and track all your movements.
That positions it as an extremely expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a significant features for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can automatically guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or similar pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts over satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans offering various 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 test out the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, although the actual position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight 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 vital safety feature, however it is important to note that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with options available through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling 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 optional Garmin inReach service packages begin 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 messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are slow, limited wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
