The latest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's top model and engineered to be the single gadget required to venture almost any location and monitor all your movements.
This positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £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 edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other models, 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 despite the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not provided for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar activities – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages over satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans including various quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have got it set up, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own send a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, although the real location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to remember that orbital service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services offered via the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides recycling 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).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want 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 very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, basic wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.