This newest iteration of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the single tool needed to explore almost any location and track all your movements.
That positions it as an extremely pricey option, priced from £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 display – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including different quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, although the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to note that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services offered through the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, limited wearable features versus competing watches.
