The latest model of the top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and designed to be the only tool required to explore virtually any location and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an very pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the regular 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 world can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar activities – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts over satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans offering various allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, though the real position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning 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 satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate 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 safety feature, 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 latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure 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 without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want 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 very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
