The latest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's top device and designed to be the single gadget needed to explore virtually any location and track every activity.
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 variant with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a significant features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure tracking. The full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts over satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans offering various quotas 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 functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has generally worked well, though the real location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services available via the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs 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 takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are slow, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.
