This latest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure watch includes a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single gadget required to explore virtually any location and monitor 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 model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not included for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or comparable activities – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected 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 download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, although the real position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services available through the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on new 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 cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are slow, limited wearable features versus competing watches.
