The latest version of the flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's top device and engineered to be the only tool needed to venture virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This makes it an very expensive option, 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 screen – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not included for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or similar pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth using typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, although the real location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with options 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 does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.
Cost
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).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night 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 functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.
