The latest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's top model and designed to be the only gadget required to venture almost anywhere and track every activity.
That makes it an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. Its full offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts over orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the actual location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are sluggish, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.
