This most recent model of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to explore virtually any location and monitor every activity.
That makes it an very expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching 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 significant features for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. Its full offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out running, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans including various allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, although the actual position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate 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 important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services available via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new 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 subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.
