This newest model of the flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and designed to be the only gadget needed to explore almost anywhere and track all your movements.
That positions it as an very pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not included for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have completed setup, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, although the real location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services offered via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new 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 plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are sluggish, limited wearable features versus competing watches.
