The newest version of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the single tool needed to venture almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This positions it as an very pricey proposition, starting at £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 variant with microLED display – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to selected 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 primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, though the actual location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services available via the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling programs on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with any make 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 nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, 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 premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital features need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, limited wearable features versus competing watches.
