The newest iteration of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch includes a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's top model and designed to be the single tool required to venture virtually anywhere and track every activity.
This positions it as an extremely pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or comparable activities – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans offering various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own send a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, although the actual position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with options offered through the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides recycling programs 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).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all 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 hiking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.
