The latest model of the premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top device and designed to be the single tool required to explore virtually anywhere and track every activity.
This positions it as an very pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure tracking. Its full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans including various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically send a link to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, although the actual location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it is not dependent 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 nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite functions require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
