The most recent iteration of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the only gadget needed to venture almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor tracking. Its full offline maps of the world can automatically guide you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or comparable activities – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, although the actual position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services offered via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
This is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
