The latest iteration of the premium Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the single tool required to explore almost any location and monitor 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 climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or similar pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After 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 streaming music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, although the real location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options offered via the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent 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 subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are slow, limited wearable features compared with competing watches.
