This latest version of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to venture almost any location and track every activity.
That positions it as an very expensive option, 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 edition with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant features for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via orbital are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. 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 head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically send a link to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, though the real position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to note that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options available through the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain 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 service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
