The most recent model of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only gadget required to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.
This positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not provided for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random 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 typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, although the actual location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features 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, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services available through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent 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 subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital features need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.
