This newest iteration of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's top device and engineered to be the single gadget required to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.
This makes it an very pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or similar pursuits – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts over satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via typed 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 enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time 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 something happens. It has typically functioned well, although the real position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, 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 coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options offered through the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish 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 requiring anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are slow, limited wearable functionality versus competing watches.
