The most recent version of the premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the only tool required to explore almost anywhere and track all your movements.
This positions it as an very pricey proposition, priced from £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 variant with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, 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 does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable activities – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including different allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine 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. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish 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 URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, although the actual position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to note that orbital service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with options offered through the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs 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).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
