This newest version of the premium Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only tool needed to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.
This makes it an very expensive 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 variant with microLED display – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out running, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts via satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different 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.
Once you have completed setup, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically send a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, although the real position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with services offered via the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that want 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 does so without needing additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, basic wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
