The most recent version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to venture virtually any location and track every activity.
That makes it an extremely expensive 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 – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or similar pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including different allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
After you have got it set up, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the actual location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to note that satellite service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered through the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The 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 excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more impressive adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital functions need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
