This newest iteration of the flagship Fenix adventure watch introduces a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's top model and designed to be the only gadget needed to explore virtually anywhere and track all your movements.
This positions it as an extremely pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable activities – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans including different allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever 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 app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, though the actual location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide 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 unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to note that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services available via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling programs on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are sluggish, limited wearable features compared with competing watches.
