This newest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the only gadget required to venture virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.
That positions it as an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £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.
Users receive a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure tracking. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or similar activities – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including various quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
After you have got it set up, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via typed or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, although the real position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates 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 surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services available through the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are slow, basic wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
