The newest iteration of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the only tool required to venture almost any location 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 model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or similar activities – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including different quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the real location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to note that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with options offered via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are slow, limited wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
