The latest iteration of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the only tool needed to venture almost anywhere and track every activity.
That makes it an very pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including various quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a link to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, though the real location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to note that orbital service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with options available through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital features need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable features versus competing watches.
