This most recent version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the only tool needed to venture virtually anywhere and track every activity.
That makes it an extremely pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans offering different quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, though the actual location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to remember that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services offered through the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal programs 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 service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
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 trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are slow, limited wearable features versus competing watches.
