The latest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's top device and engineered to be the single tool required to explore almost any location and track every activity.
This makes it an extremely pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not provided for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or similar pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, although the real position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services offered via the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power 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).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything 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, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
