🔗 Share this article

The newest iteration of the premium Fenix outdoor watch introduces a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's top model and engineered to be the only tool required to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.

This positions it as an extremely pricey option, starting at £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 twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure tracking. The full offline maps of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or similar pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.

Location updates and messages over satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans offering different quotas of satellite use, 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 the door without 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 place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.

When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, though the actual location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.

A guide 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 unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with options offered through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.

Price

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

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.

It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are sluggish, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.