This most recent iteration of the flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single tool required to venture almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an extremely expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including different quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, though the real location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services available through the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages 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 messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that desire 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.
This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider 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 desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
