This newest iteration of the premium Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier device and designed to be the only tool required to venture almost anywhere and track all your movements.
That makes it an extremely expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans including different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own send a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, though the real position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services available through the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal programs on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages cost 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 incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are slow, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
