This newest version of the flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited 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.
This makes it an very pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can automatically guide you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including various quotas of orbital use, 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 got it set up, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, although the actual position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide 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 easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services offered through the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, voice capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
