This most recent iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.
This makes it an very pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure tracking. Its full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After 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 similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own send a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the real location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to note that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with services offered through the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are slow, basic smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.
