🔗 Share this article

This newest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's top model and designed to be the only tool needed to explore almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.

This makes it an very pricey option, 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 variant with microLED screen – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure tracking. Its full offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not provided for free.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or comparable activities – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and texts over orbital are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans offering different quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

After you have completed setup, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own send a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, although the actual position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.

A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to note that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with services offered via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent 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 plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

It is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full 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 monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.