This most recent version of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to explore almost anywhere and track all your movements.
This makes it an very expensive proposition, priced from £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 – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or similar activities – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including different allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and make 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 adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work OK, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, although the real location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with services offered via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, limited wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
