🔗 Share this article

This most recent version of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the only tool required to venture virtually any location and monitor all your movements.

That makes it an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £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 – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location

The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.

After you have completed setup, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, although the actual location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

These features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to find 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 crucial lifeline, though it is important to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with options offered via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new 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 begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.

It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.