The latest version of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch includes a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the only gadget needed to venture almost any location and monitor all your movements.
This makes it an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically guide you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable activities – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive plans offering various allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, although the real location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices 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 send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with services offered through the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on recent purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional 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 standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. 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 accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are sluggish, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.
