🔗 Share this article

This latest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's top model and designed to be the single tool needed to explore almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.

This positions it as an very 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 – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can automatically guide you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts via satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including different allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.

Once you have completed setup, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, although the real location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

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

A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with services available via the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.

Cost

The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.

It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.