The newest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only gadget required to venture almost any location and monitor all your movements.
This positions it as an extremely expensive option, priced from £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 edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. The complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not provided for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering different quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
After you have got it set up, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the real position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with services offered via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling programs 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 begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
