This latest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an very expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering various allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely 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 automatically send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, though the real position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find 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 vital lifeline, however it is essential to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool 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 remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, basic wearable functionality versus competing watches.
