This latest iteration of the premium Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier device and designed to be the single tool required to venture virtually any location and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans offering various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the real location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches 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 guide displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options available through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes 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 cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are slow, limited wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
