This most recent version of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's top device and designed to be the only gadget required to explore almost any location and track all your movements.
That makes it an very pricey option, 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 edition with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a significant features for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out running, cycling or similar pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans offering various allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have got it set up, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked well, though the real position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with options available through the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital features need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
