The newest version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's top model and engineered to be the only gadget required to venture almost anywhere and track every activity.
That positions it as an very pricey option, starting at £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 – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure tracking. Its full offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look 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 big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts over satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans offering various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, although the real location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services available via the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are slow, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
