The latest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's top device and engineered to be the only tool required to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.
That makes it an very expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts over satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including various allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have got it set up, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family 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 download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own send a link to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, though the actual position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with options offered through the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable features compared with competing watches.
