The newest iteration of the flagship Fenix adventure watch introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the only tool needed to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.
This positions it as an extremely 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 double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor tracking. The full offline maps of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or similar pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts via satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including different allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, although the real position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices 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, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night 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 functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, limited wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
