This newest version of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier device and designed to be the only tool required to venture almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This positions it as an extremely expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not provided for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including various quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
After 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 can place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, though 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 handiest feature. You can configure to automatically send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, though the actual location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of 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 send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives 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 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.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with options available via the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are sluggish, basic wearable functionality versus competing watches.
