🔗 Share this article

This latest iteration of the top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the single tool required to explore almost any location and track every activity.

This positions it as an very expensive proposition, priced from £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 screen – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not included for free.

Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or comparable activities – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages via orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including various quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.

Once you have got it set up, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, although the actual location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with options offered through the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers recycling 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 optional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of 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 out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.

This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.