This newest iteration of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's top model and designed to be the single gadget needed to explore almost any location and track every activity.
That positions it as an extremely expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users 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 return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans offering various allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
After you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via 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 enough 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 collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically send a link to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, though the real position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options offered via the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent purchases.
Cost
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 fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, 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 cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.
