The latest version of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and designed to be the only tool needed to explore virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.
This positions it as an extremely pricey option, 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 – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure tracking. The full offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or comparable activities – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages over satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans offering various allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
After you have got it set up, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, although the actual position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to note that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options offered via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
