🔗 Share this article

This newest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's top model and engineered to be the single gadget required to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.

This positions it as an extremely expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.

Users get a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered 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. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.

Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans including different quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

After you have completed setup, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, 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 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 communicate back and forth using typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked well, though the actual location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally repairable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on new purchases.

Price

The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. 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 anything else.

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

This 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 contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, 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, physical controls and touch.

Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital functions need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.