🔗 Share this article

The most recent model of the premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.

That positions it as an very expensive proposition, starting at £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 display – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

Users get a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not provided for free.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or similar activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.

Location updates and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans including various quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

After you have completed setup, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out 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 perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically send a link to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, though the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

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

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.

It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital features need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.