The newest model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's top model and engineered to be the single gadget required to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.
This positions it as an very pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of orbital use, 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 outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work OK, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, although the real position has occasionally lagged when moving 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 areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with options available through the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are slow, limited wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
