This most recent model of the top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the only gadget required to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.
That positions it as an extremely expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or similar activities – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering different quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
Once 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 playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to selected contacts every time you begin 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 rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, though the actual position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
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 check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services offered through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.
Price
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).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are sluggish, limited wearable features compared with competing watches.
