This latest version of the top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the single tool needed to explore almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
This positions it as an very pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering various allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient 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 pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, though the actual position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are available 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 transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services offered through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are slow, limited wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
