The latest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the single gadget required to explore almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
This makes it an very expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable activities – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including different allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
After you have got it set up, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can use 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 discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically send a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, although the actual position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options offered through the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal 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 optional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite features need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
