The latest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the single tool needed to venture almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
That makes it an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £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 screen – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out running, biking or comparable activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages over satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans including various quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary 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 text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, though the actual position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS 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 easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to remember that orbital service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered through the support site. 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 recycling programs on new purchases.
Price
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 begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
