The newest model of the flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the only tool required to venture virtually any location and monitor every activity.
This positions it as an very pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline maps of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or similar activities – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering different quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, although the real position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential 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 latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services available via the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers 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 subscription plans cost 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 adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
This is quite 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 recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
