The latest iteration of the premium Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's top model and engineered to be the single gadget required to venture virtually any location and monitor all your movements.
That makes it an very expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to 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 functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, although the actual position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
These features are available on other Garmin devices 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 updates and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives 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 continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the support site. The battery is certified to retain 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 new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish 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 very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are slow, basic wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
