This latest version of the flagship Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's top device and designed to be the single tool required to explore almost any location and track all your movements.
That positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, 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 edition with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or similar activities – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including different quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically send a link to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, although the actual location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible 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, location check-ins and SOS 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 straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with services available via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes 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 subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes 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 without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it is not 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 hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
