This newest iteration of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's top model and engineered to be the only gadget required to explore virtually any location and monitor all your movements.
That makes it an very expensive option, starting at £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 – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of relying 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.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans offering various allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings 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 less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the actual position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view 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 vital safety feature, though it is essential to note that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options offered through the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.
Price
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 begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
