The most recent iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the single tool needed to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.
That positions it as 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 twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, 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 Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts over orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has generally worked well, although the real position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to note that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options offered via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital functions require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
