The most recent iteration of the top-tier Fenix outdoor watch introduces a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's top device and designed to be the single gadget needed to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.
That positions it as an very expensive proposition, starting at £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 screen – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans offering various quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, though the real location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital 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 generally serviceable with services offered via the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
