The most recent iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single tool needed to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.
This makes it an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £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 edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including different quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, though the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to note that satellite service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
