The latest version of the top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top device and designed to be the only tool required to explore almost any location and track all your movements.
That positions it as an very expensive proposition, starting at £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 edition with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out running, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, though the real position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to remember that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options offered through the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital features need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are slow, limited wearable features compared with competing watches.
