This newest iteration of the premium Fenix adventure timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's premier device and designed to be the single tool needed to explore almost any location and monitor all your movements.
That makes it an extremely 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 variant with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, although the real position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
It is quite freeing 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 service to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
