This latest version of the premium Fenix outdoor watch introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top device and designed to be the single tool required to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.
This makes it an extremely pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its full offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts over satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including different quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, though the real location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency 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 lifeline, however it is important to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options available via the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal schemes 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 subscription plans begin 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 incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
