The newest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and designed to be the single gadget required to venture almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
That makes it an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or comparable activities – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts over satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including different quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, though the real location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to remember that orbital service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with services available via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal 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 additional Garmin inReach service plans cost 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 adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite functions require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
