This most recent version of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor watch includes a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the only gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and track every activity.
This makes it an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure tracking. Its full offline maps of the world can automatically guide you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or comparable activities – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages over satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, although the actual position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, 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 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 vital lifeline, however it is essential to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services available via the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are slow, basic smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.
