This newest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the only gadget required to venture almost any location and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an very pricey option, priced from £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 display – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
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 big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including various quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
After you have got it set up, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, though the actual location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to note that orbital service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with options offered through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers recycling programs on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, 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 diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
