This most recent iteration of the top-tier Fenix outdoor watch introduces a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's top model and engineered to be the single gadget required to venture almost anywhere and track all your movements.
This positions it as an extremely pricey option, 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 – nearly double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure tracking. Its full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work OK, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, although the real position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with options offered through the customer service 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 components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
