This newest iteration of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's top device and engineered to be the single gadget required to explore almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This makes it an extremely expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can automatically guide you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or similar activities – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
After you have got it set up, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and initiate 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.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, though the real location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered through the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs 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).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, limited wearable features versus competing watches.
