The most recent iteration of the premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and designed to be the single tool required to venture almost anywhere and track every activity.
This makes it an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £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 – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available 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. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including various allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, although the real position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency 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 vital lifeline, though it is important to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options available through the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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 builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are slow, limited wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
