The most recent iteration of the top-tier Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the single gadget required to explore almost anywhere and track all your movements.
This makes it an very expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable activities – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including different allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have got it set up, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will link 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 sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth using typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, though the real position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
These features are available on other Garmin devices 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 displays you how to find the clear view 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 safety feature, though it is essential to note that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with options offered through the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling 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 subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure 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 does so without needing additional gear.
It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are sluggish, limited wearable features compared with competing watches.
