This newest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's top device and engineered to be the single gadget required to venture almost any location and monitor all your movements.
That makes it an very pricey option, 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 variant with microLED screen – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out running, biking or comparable activities – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including various quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, although the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services available via the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone commands, 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: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
