The most recent model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the only tool required to explore virtually any location and monitor all your movements.
That makes it an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can automatically guide you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
The 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. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, although the actual location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to note that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused 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 optional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
