The newest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the single tool required to venture almost anywhere and track every activity.
That makes it an extremely pricey option, 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 – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor tracking. Its full offline maps of the world can automatically guide you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not included for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or similar activities – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering various quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have got it set up, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
When you message 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 communicate reciprocally using text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own send a link to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, though the actual location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to note that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with options available through the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent purchases.
Price
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 cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital features require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
