The latest iteration of the top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the single gadget required to venture almost any location and monitor every activity.
That makes it an extremely pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts via orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions including various quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, though the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional 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 regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, 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 reliant on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are slow, basic wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
