This most recent version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor watch introduces a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the single tool needed to venture almost anywhere and track every activity.
This makes it an extremely pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can automatically guide you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
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 devices, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or similar activities – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts over satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. 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 playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
Whenever 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 back and forth using typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, though the real position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services available via the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers recycling programs 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 subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure 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 requiring additional gear.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
