The most recent version of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the single gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and track all your movements.
That positions it as an extremely expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure monitoring. The full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or comparable pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts over orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including different allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After 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 comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the actual position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs 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 builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want 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.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are slow, basic smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
