The latest version of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the only tool required to venture almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
That positions it as an extremely expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or comparable activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages over satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, though the actual position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services offered via the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are slow, basic smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
