The most recent model of the top-tier Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's premier model and designed to be the single gadget required to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.
That positions it as an extremely expensive option, priced from £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 display – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure tracking. Its full offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or similar activities – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts over satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans including various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random 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 text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, although the actual location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to remember that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services available via the customer service portal. 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 reused components. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent 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 subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright 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 navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
