The newest iteration of the premium Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's top device and designed to be the only tool required to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.
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 substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts over satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions including different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, though the real location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
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 satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages 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 messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is quite liberating to be outside 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 provide the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital features require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are slow, basic smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
