This latest iteration of the premium Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the single gadget required to venture almost anywhere and track every activity.
This positions it as an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-capable products, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or similar activities – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends 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 reciprocally using text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, although the actual position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options offered through the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are slow, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.
