The newest iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's top device and designed to be the only gadget required to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an very expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £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 lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts via orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own send a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, although the actual position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
These features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services offered via the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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 takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant 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 is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened 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 superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.