This latest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor watch includes a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, plus an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier device and designed to be the only tool needed to venture almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
That makes it an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £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.
You do receive a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts over satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including different allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, although the real location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency 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 easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with services offered through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal programs 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 subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are sluggish, limited wearable features versus competing watches.
