The most recent version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only tool needed to venture virtually any location and track all your movements.
That makes it an extremely expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure tracking. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering various quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
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 can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically send a link to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, though the real location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services available via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal programs 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 subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
