🔗 Share this article

This most recent iteration of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single gadget needed to venture virtually any location and track every activity.

This makes it an extremely expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor tracking. The complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not included for no cost.

Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including different allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have completed setup, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.

When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.

Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, though the real location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.

Price

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

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

The result is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are slow, limited wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.