🔗 Share this article

The newest version of the premium Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's top device and designed to be the single gadget needed to explore almost any location and monitor all your movements.

That positions it as an very pricey 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 variant with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline maps of the world can automatically guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or similar pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans offering different quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall 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 back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked well, although the actual position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices 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 shows you how to find the clear view 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 vital lifeline, though it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically repairable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on new purchases.

Cost

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

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.

This is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.