This most recent version of the top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore virtually anywhere and track all your movements.
This positions it as an extremely expensive 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 edition with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including different allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not 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 family and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, although the real location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with options available via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro costs 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
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an even more impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in 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 diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are sluggish, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
