The most recent iteration of the flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's top model and engineered to be the single tool needed to explore almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This positions it as an very pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. Its full offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not included for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or comparable activities – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have got it set up, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone 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 contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, though the real position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable 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 weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages cost 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 adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure 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 does so without needing anything else.
This is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
