This most recent version of the premium Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier device and designed to be the single tool required to explore virtually anywhere and track every activity.
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 colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The complete offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages over satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, although the actual location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches 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, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the clear view 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 essential to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with options available through the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital features require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are slow, limited wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
