This latest iteration of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.
This makes it an extremely pricey option, starting at £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 – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or comparable pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering various quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, though the real location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide displays 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 lifeline, however it is important to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with options offered via the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling 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 plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier 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, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
