The latest iteration of the top-tier Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's top device and engineered to be the single tool required to explore almost anywhere and track all your movements.
That positions it as an very pricey option, 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 – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts via satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans including different allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message 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 application, you can then message back and forth using typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, although the real position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent 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 service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
