The most recent model of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single tool needed to explore virtually any location and monitor all your movements.
This positions it as an extremely pricey option, starting at £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 – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including different allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have completed setup, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own send a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked well, although the real position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight 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 remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with options available through the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
