The latest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.
That positions it as an very expensive option, priced from £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 screen – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. Its full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not included for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or comparable activities – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After 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 streaming music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends 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 communicate back and forth using typed or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, although the actual location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered through the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.