This newest version of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the single gadget required to venture virtually anywhere and track every activity.
This positions it as an very pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a significant features for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including different quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked well, though the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options available via the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital features need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.