🔗 Share this article

The most recent iteration of the premium Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the single gadget required to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.

This makes it an extremely pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure tracking. Its full offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not provided for free.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or similar activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.

Location updates and messages over satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans offering various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

Once you have completed setup, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, although the actual position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.

A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to note that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with options offered through the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent purchases.

Cost

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 begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.

Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice capabilities are slow, limited wearable functionality compared with competing watches.