The newest model of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to venture almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
This makes it an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £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.
You do receive a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive plans offering various allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, although the actual position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital 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 excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with options offered through the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled 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 additional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an even more impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable features versus competing watches.
