The latest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the only tool required to venture almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This makes it an very expensive option, 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 display – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, although the actual location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite 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 orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to note that orbital service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with options available via the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on new 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 service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more impressive adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, 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 is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are slow, limited wearable functionality versus competing watches.
