The most recent model of the top-tier Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the only tool required to venture almost any location and track all your movements.
This positions it as an extremely expensive 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 display – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or similar activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans including various quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, although the real position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
These features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is very freeing to be outside 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 service to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
