This most recent version of the flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.
That makes it an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including different allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via typed or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, though the actual location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate 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 safety feature, however it is important to note that orbital service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services offered via the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that want 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 additional gear.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are slow, basic wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
