The latest iteration of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch introduces a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.
That positions it as an very pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor tracking. The full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts over orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering different quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
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 streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have 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 slow. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a link to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, although the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches 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, position updates and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the line of sight 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 crucial lifeline, however it is essential to note that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides 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 subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that desire 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 accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite functions require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
