This most recent version of the flagship Fenix adventure watch includes a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the single tool needed to explore almost any location and track every activity.
This makes it an very pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. Its full offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not provided for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or comparable activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages over satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans offering various quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall 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 app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, although the real position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the line of sight 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 lifeline, though it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with services available through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are sluggish, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.
