This latest iteration of the flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier device and designed to be the only tool needed to explore virtually any location and monitor all your movements.
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 colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. The full offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including different quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, though the actual position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with services available via the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality versus competing watches.
