This latest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's top model and engineered to be the only gadget required to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.
This makes it an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £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 display – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or comparable activities – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering different allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, although the actual location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of 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 transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to note that satellite service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal 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 cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated 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 diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
