The most recent model of the premium Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's top device and engineered to be the only gadget needed to venture almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
That positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, 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 tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or similar activities – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, although the real location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with options offered through the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. 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 very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, limited wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
