The newest model of the flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the single gadget required to explore almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This 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 colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor tracking. The complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered 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 model as reviewed does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out running, cycling or similar pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages over satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
After 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 tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, although the actual position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide 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 easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services available via the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent 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 plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality versus competing watches.
