This latest model of the top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's top device and engineered to be the only gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and track all your movements.
This makes it an extremely pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering different quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, although the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry 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 SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with options offered via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal schemes 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 packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
This is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, 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 functions with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are slow, basic smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
