The latest version of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's top model and engineered to be the single tool required to venture virtually any location and track every activity.
This positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar activities – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions including various allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, although the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the line of sight 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 important to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with options available via the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.
Price
The 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
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
