This most recent iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the single gadget needed to explore almost any location and track every activity.
That makes it an extremely pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically guide you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable activities – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including various allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly acts as a tool 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 occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options available via the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal 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 service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
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 trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
