This most recent version of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top device and designed to be the only gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and track every activity.
That makes it an very pricey option, 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 variant with microLED screen – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering different quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message 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 application, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, although the actual position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate 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 crucial lifeline, though it is essential to remember that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services available via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling programs on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are slow, basic smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
