This newest model of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the single tool needed to explore virtually any location and monitor every activity.
This positions it as an extremely expensive option, 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 variant with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not included for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts over orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including different quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
After you have got it set up, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately 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 speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, though the real location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance 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 surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to note that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
