This latest model of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's top device and engineered to be the only tool needed to venture almost any location and track all your movements.
That makes it an extremely pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure tracking. Its full offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or similar activities – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans offering various quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, although the real location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services available through the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers disposal schemes 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 service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor 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.
Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that want 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.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately 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 gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
