The newest version of the flagship Fenix adventure watch introduces a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the only tool required to explore almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
This positions it as 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 – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure tracking. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, biking or similar activities – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans offering different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work OK, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered through the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants 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, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable features versus competing watches.
