This latest version of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the single gadget required to venture almost any location and track all your movements.
This makes it an extremely pricey 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 price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure tracking. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans including various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you just head out outside without 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 place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically send a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, although the actual location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays 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 easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with options available via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages 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 adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are slow, basic wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.