This newest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and designed to be the single gadget needed to explore virtually any location and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an very pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £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.
Users get a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline maps of the world can automatically guide you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not included for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts over satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering various allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth using typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, although the real location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services available through the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
