The newest version of the top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top device and designed to be the only tool required to venture almost any location and monitor all your movements.
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 screen – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor tracking. The complete offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts over orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans offering different quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, though the actual location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible 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 send texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays 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 unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to remember that orbital coverage is limited 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 serviceable with options offered through the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on new purchases.
Price
The 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).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
