This newest iteration of the premium Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single tool needed to venture virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This positions it as an extremely pricey 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 variant with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure tracking. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not included for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or similar pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts over orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans offering various allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall 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 respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth using text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, although the real position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These features are accessible on other Garmin watches 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 check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
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 messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are slow, basic wearable features versus competing watches.
