This newest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single tool needed to venture almost anywhere and track all your movements.
That positions it as an very expensive option, starting at £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 display – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and outdoor tracking. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or comparable activities – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans including various quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches 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 via text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, although the real position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates 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 straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with options offered via the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans 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 adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital features need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are slow, limited smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
