This newest model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the single gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This positions it as an extremely expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £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.
You do get a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor tracking. Its full offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering different quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has generally worked well, although the actual location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications 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 service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services available through the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers recycling programs on recent purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
