The newest version of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's top model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to explore virtually anywhere and track every activity.
That positions it as an very expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure monitoring. Its full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or similar activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans offering various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not 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 companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, though the real location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with services available through the support site. 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 offers recycling schemes on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro costs 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).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
It is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
