This newest version of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top model and designed to be the single gadget required to explore virtually any location and track every activity.
This makes it an very expensive proposition, priced from £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 variant with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans including various allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, although the actual location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, 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 essential to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services available through the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs 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).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are slow, limited wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
