Garmin Fenix 8 Pro: The Ultimate Adventure Watch Just Got Smarter (and Pricier)

Garmin has just unveiled the Fenix 8 Pro, an evolution of its already legendary adventure watch that now includes life-saving phone-free communications and emergency messaging capabilities—both via 4G LTE and satellite connectivity. This isn’t just a smartwatch; it’s your lifeline when you’re miles from civilization.

The Price of Freedom: Premium Features Come at Premium Cost

Starting at a hefty £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and skyrocketing to £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm microLED special edition, the Fenix 8 Pro represents a significant investment. That’s almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8, but Garmin is betting that adventurers will pay for the peace of mind that comes with built-in communications.

Built for the Extreme: What Makes This Watch Special

The Fenix 8 Pro is Garmin’s top-tier offering, designed to be the only tool you need for virtually any adventure. It builds on the already fantastic Fenix 8, which we previously praised for its comprehensive features and reliability in our September 2024 review.

The watch comes exclusively in 47mm and 51mm case sizes—no smaller 43mm option here—making it a substantial presence on the wrist. The 47mm OLED version tested offers impressive battery life, lasting 8-9 days between charges even with the always-on display enabled.

Game-Changing Communications: Phone-Free Messaging and Emergency SOS

The headline feature is Garmin’s new inReach LTE and satellite subscription service, which allows for phone-free communications. Unlike Apple or Google’s satellite-capable devices, Garmin’s emergency SOS messaging isn’t included for free. Instead, plans start at £7.99 per month, providing unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, calls, and LiveTrack location sharing.

The setup process is admittedly “long-winded,” but it’s a one-time affair that unlocks powerful capabilities. Once configured, you can head out the door without your phone and the watch will automatically connect to LTE networks. While you can’t stream music, you can make and receive calls, send texts, and stay connected with loved ones.

When LTE isn’t available, the satellite functionality kicks in, sending and receiving messages within 10-30 seconds. The setup process includes a helpful guide showing you how to find satellite line-of-sight, making it surprisingly user-friendly for what could be a crucial lifeline in emergency situations.

LiveTrack: Your Virtual Safety Net

Perhaps the most practical feature is LiveTrack, which allows you to automatically send location links to chosen contacts every time you start an activity. Whether you’re running at night, cycling through remote trails, or hiking in unfamiliar territory, someone you trust can monitor your real-time location on a map. This feature has proven reliable, though there can be occasional lag when moving in and out of good LTE signal areas.

Satellite Coverage Limitations

It’s crucial to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north. Before relying on this feature for your adventures, check whether your intended destinations are covered.

Sustainability Considerations

The watch is generally repairable through Garmin’s support channels, with the battery rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. However, it doesn’t contain any recycled materials, though Garmin does offer recycling schemes for new purchases.

The Verdict: Revolutionary but Expensive

The Fenix 8 Pro takes an already exceptional adventure watch and adds transformative communication capabilities. It’s a killer device for those who hate being weighed down by their phone during outdoor activities but still want to be trackable and contactable.

The freedom of being phone-free during outdoor activities is genuinely liberating, but this capability comes at a significant cost—both the initial investment in the watch and the ongoing monthly subscription for the inReach service. At least the system isn’t dependent on your phone provider, working with any brand of smartphone and network.

For someone who regularly ventures into areas with limited connectivity, the Fenix 8 Pro could be a life-saving investment. For everyone else, the excellent standard Fenix 8 might be the more sensible choice.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.

tags: #Garmin #Fenix8Pro #AdventureWatch #Smartwatch #SatelliteCommunication #OutdoorTech #HikingGear #RunningWatch #TechReview #WearableTech #LTEConnectivity #EmergencySOS #LiveTrack #MicroLED #AdventureReady #TechInnovation #OutdoorSafety #GPSWatch #GarminInReach

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