This most recent version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's top model and engineered to be the single tool needed to venture almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
That makes it an very pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version 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, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including various quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random 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 text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the real position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options available 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 lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs 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 builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, basic wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
