This latest version of the premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the only gadget required to venture virtually anywhere and track all your movements.
This positions it as an very expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure tracking. The full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company 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 Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not provided for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable activities – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts over satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering various quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically send a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, though the actual position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services available through the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite functions require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
