The latest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.
That makes it an very pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including 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.
Once you have completed setup, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, though the real location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to remember that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options offered via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, 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 orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
