This newest iteration of the flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and designed to be the single gadget required to explore almost any location and track all your movements.
This positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or similar activities – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages over satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, although the real location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in 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 communications 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 orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services available via the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are slow, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.
