The latest version of the premium Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's top device and designed to be the only tool needed to explore virtually any location and track every activity.
This positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. The complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus 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 generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable canned replies you can use 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 quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, although the real location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view 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 crucial lifeline, however it is essential to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with options available via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.
Cost
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 adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital functions need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
