This newest version of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's top model and engineered to be the only gadget required to explore almost anywhere and track all your movements.
This positions it as an very pricey proposition, starting at £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 – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, movement and outdoor tracking. Its full offline maps of the world can automatically direct you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable activities – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages over satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering different allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
After you have got it set up, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the actual position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view 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, however it is essential to remember that orbital service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services available through the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling programs 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 service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
It is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any 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, biking or hiking, 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 messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
