This newest version of the top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's top model and designed to be the single tool needed to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.
This positions it as an very pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable activities – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including various allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, though the actual location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These features are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with options available via the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides disposal 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 optional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still desires 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 communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
