🔗 Share this article

This latest version of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's top device and designed to be the only tool required to venture virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.

This positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.

Users get a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can automatically guide you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking

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

Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.

Check-ins and messages via orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.

After you have got it set up, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, although the actual position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.

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

A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with options available via the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides recycling programs on new purchases.

Cost

The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages begin 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 incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.

Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.