This latest model of the premium Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the single tool needed to explore almost anywhere and track all your movements.
That makes it an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. The complete 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 large, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including different allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally worked well, although the real location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view 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 crucial lifeline, though it is essential to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with options offered via the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions 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 jogging, biking or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are slow, limited wearable features versus competing watches.
