🔗 Share this article

This newest version of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.

That positions it as 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 display – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor tracking. The complete offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not included for no cost.

Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts over satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans offering various allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.

After you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.

When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, although the actual location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.

A guide 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 surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. 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 service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.

This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription 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.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite functions need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.