The newest version of the top-tier Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the only gadget required to venture almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, 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 variant with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure tracking. The full offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts over satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just head out the door 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 make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever 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 application, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own send a link to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, although the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with options offered via the customer service site. 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 recycled components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
