The newest version of the flagship Fenix adventure watch includes a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore almost any location and track every activity.
That positions it as an very pricey option, starting at £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 edition with microLED screen – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans including various allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of 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 devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays 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 straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services offered via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling programs 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 begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, limited wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.