The newest iteration of the premium Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's top device and designed to be the only tool required to venture 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 version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts over satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including different allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, although the real position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
These features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with options available via the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.
