The most recent iteration of the premium Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the single tool required to explore almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
That positions it as an very pricey proposition, 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 edition with microLED display – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do 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 direct you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, though the real location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services offered via the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent purchases.
Cost
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 adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are slow, limited wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
