This newest model of the top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only gadget required to explore virtually any location and monitor every activity.
That makes it an very expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar activities – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including different quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, although the real position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance 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 crucial safety feature, though it is essential to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with options available via the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are slow, limited smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
