The most recent iteration of the top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's top device and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore almost any location and track all your movements.
That positions it as an very expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive plans offering various allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
After you have got it set up, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When 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 app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, though the real position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services available via the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, limited wearable features compared with competing watches.
