The most recent model of the premium Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the only gadget needed to venture almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
That makes it an extremely pricey 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 double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 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 extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or similar pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering different allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, though the actual location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services available through the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused 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 service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. 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 functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
The 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 other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
