The latest model of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, plus an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the only gadget needed to venture virtually any location and monitor every activity.
That makes it an very expensive proposition, 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 edition with microLED display – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not provided for free.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth using typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, though the actual position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services available via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers disposal programs on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
It is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are slow, limited smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
