This newest iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the single tool required to venture virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an very pricey proposition, starting at £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 regular Fenix 8.
Users get a significant features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not included for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive plans offering various allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside 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, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, although the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services available via the support 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 materials. Garmin offers 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 optional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital features need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are slow, basic smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
