This most recent iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the only tool required to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.
This positions it as an extremely pricey option, 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 cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure tracking. Its full offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans offering various allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can 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 number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions 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 send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, although the real position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with options available via the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent 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 cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
