This latest version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch includes a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only tool needed to venture almost any location and monitor every activity.
This makes it an extremely expensive proposition, 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 – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not included for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own send a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the real location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
These capabilities 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 transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options offered through the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, basic wearable features compared with competing watches.
