This latest iteration of the top-tier Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's top device and engineered to be the single tool needed to venture virtually anywhere and track every activity.
This positions it as an very expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline maps of the world can automatically guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans offering various quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own send a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, though the real position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to note that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services available via the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling 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 service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and network.
The 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 desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are slow, basic smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
