The newest model of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's top device and engineered to be the only tool required to explore almost any location and track 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 model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor tracking. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering various quotas 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 functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, although the actual location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
These features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to remember that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with options available via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital features require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are sluggish, basic wearable features versus competing watches.
