This newest model of the premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the single tool needed to explore almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This makes it an very pricey proposition, 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 screen – nearly double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure tracking. Its full offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or comparable activities – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have completed setup, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work OK, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations 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 whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, although the real location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these features 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 on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are slow, basic wearable features versus competing watches.
