The most recent model of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the single gadget required to explore almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
That positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches 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 typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, although the actual position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications 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 satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an even more impressive adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
