The latest model of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's top model and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.
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 standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the actual position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to remember that orbital service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling programs on recent purchases.
Price
The 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 builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
