The most recent iteration of the premium Fenix outdoor watch includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the single gadget required to explore virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.
This makes it an very pricey option, starting at £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 display – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions including various allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, although the actual location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These features are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services available via the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
