The newest iteration of the premium Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the only tool required to explore almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
This makes it an very expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, 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 despite the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive plans offering various allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link 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 keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, though the actual location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry 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 updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance 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 surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to note that satellite service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with options offered via the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.
