The latest iteration of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the only tool required to explore virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This makes it an very pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not included for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages over satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering various quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, though the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find 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 crucial lifeline, though it is essential to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with options available via the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal programs on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.
