The newest version of the flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier device and designed to be the single gadget required to venture virtually anywhere and track every activity.
That positions it as an very pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans offering different quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, although the actual position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services available via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.
