The newest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor watch introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.
This makes it an very pricey proposition, starting at £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 display – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure tracking. Its full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to remember that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options offered via the customer service 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 reused components. Garmin provides recycling 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 service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are sluggish, basic wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
