The latest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only tool required to venture almost any location and track all your movements.
This makes it an extremely expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar activities – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever 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 app, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful 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 position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, though the actual position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning 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 does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options offered via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are sluggish, basic wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
