This newest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only tool required to venture almost any location and track all your movements.
This positions it as an extremely expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans including different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable pre-set responses you can use 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 audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, though the actual location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
These features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with services available through the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.
