This newest iteration of the premium Fenix adventure watch includes a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's top model and designed to be the single tool required to explore virtually 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 version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable activities – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts via satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering different quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, although the real location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with options available through the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages begin 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 messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline 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 touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
