The newest model of the top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's top device and designed to be the single tool needed to venture virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This makes it an very pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor tracking. Its full offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts via orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans including different allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although 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 handiest function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, although the actual position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with options available through the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, basic wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
