This newest version of the top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the single tool needed to venture virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.
That makes it an very pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure tracking. Its full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including different quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work OK, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, though the actual location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays 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 safety feature, however it is essential to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services offered through the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
