The most recent iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and track all your movements.
That makes it an extremely expensive 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 display – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or similar pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans including various allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or voice 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 register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, although the actual location has sometimes 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 areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to note that orbital service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides 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 additional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are slow, limited smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.
