The newest model of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch includes a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the single tool required to explore virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This positions it as an extremely pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure tracking. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages over satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering different quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch 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 via typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the real location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry 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 emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to note that satellite service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services available via the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
