This latest iteration of the premium Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's premier model and designed to be the only tool required to explore almost anywhere and track all your movements.
That makes it an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £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 – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. The full offline maps of the world can automatically guide you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or similar activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans including various allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform OK, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, though the actual position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to note that orbital service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with options available via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling programs 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 subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
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 satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, limited wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
