This newest iteration of the flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and designed to be the single tool needed to explore virtually any location and monitor all your movements.
That positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including various allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, though the real location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
These features are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate 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 crucial safety feature, though it is important to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services available via the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.
