This most recent iteration of the premium Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, along with an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the only gadget required to explore virtually anywhere and track all your movements.
This positions it as an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £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 lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or similar pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering different quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, though the actual position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are slow, basic smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
