This most recent version of the flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's top device and designed to be the single gadget required to explore virtually any location and monitor all your movements.
This positions it as an very pricey option, priced from £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 variant with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality 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 messaging.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes 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 playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the actual location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, 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 locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services offered through the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more impressive adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.
