This latest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the only gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an very expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
When you text 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 back and forth using typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, though the real location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring 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 line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with options available via the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent 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 packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more impressive adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
