This latest iteration of the premium Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier model and designed to be the only gadget needed to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline maps of the world can automatically guide you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not provided for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans offering different allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, although the actual location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to note that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an even more impressive adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 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 financial support, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
