The most recent iteration of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the only gadget needed to venture virtually any location and monitor every activity.
This makes it an very pricey proposition, 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 variant with microLED display – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, movement and outdoor tracking. Its full offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts via orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans including various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work OK, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, though the real location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to note that orbital service 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 generally repairable with services offered through the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs 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).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. 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 does so without needing additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, limited wearable functionality versus competing watches.
