This most recent version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch includes a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's top device and designed to be the only gadget required to explore almost anywhere and track all your movements.
This makes it an very pricey proposition, starting at £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 – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or comparable activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering various quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have got it set up, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, although the actual location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with options offered via the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional 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 messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want 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.
This 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 fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
