The latest model of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the single tool needed to explore almost any location and monitor all your movements.
This makes it an very expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar activities – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts via satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, though the actual location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages 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 coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services available through the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
