This newest version of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single tool needed to venture almost any location and monitor all your movements.
That makes it an extremely expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including various quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture the door without 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 generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, although the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services available via the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more impressive adventure device 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.
It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are slow, basic smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
