This newest model of the premium Fenix outdoor watch introduces a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier device and designed to be the only tool needed to explore virtually any location and track every activity.
This positions it as an very pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure tracking. Its full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period 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 link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, although the real location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
These features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to note that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with services available via the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant 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, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are slow, limited wearable functionality versus competing watches.
