The latest version of the top-tier Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, plus an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore virtually anywhere and track all your movements.
This makes it an very pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not provided for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or similar activities – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts via orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the real position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
These features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations 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 displays you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to note that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable features versus competing watches.
