This newest iteration of the top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore almost anywhere and track all your movements.
That makes it an very expensive proposition, priced from £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 edition with microLED display – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including different allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have got it set up, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or voice messages, and make 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.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own send a link to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, although the real position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these features 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 sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services available via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money 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, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital functions need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are slow, basic wearable features compared with competing watches.
