This newest version of the top-tier Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the only tool required to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.
This positions it as an very expensive proposition, 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 double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans including various allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After 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 tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with services offered via the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers recycling 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).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more impressive adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital features require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
