This latest version of the flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, plus an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the only tool required to venture virtually any location and track every activity.
This positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure tracking. Its full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or similar pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including different quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have got it set up, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work OK, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, although the actual location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are slow, limited wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
