The most recent model of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's top model and designed to be the single gadget needed to explore almost anywhere and track 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 colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its full offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable activities – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans including different allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using text or voice 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.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work OK, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, though the actual position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available 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 transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to remember that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services offered through the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent 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 plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are slow, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.
