🔗 Share this article

The latest iteration of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's top device and engineered to be the single tool required to venture almost any location and monitor every activity.

That makes it an very pricey proposition, starting at £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 screen – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.

Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not included for free.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or comparable activities – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages via orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including different quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

After you have got it set up, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.

When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, though the real location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to remember that orbital service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with services available 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 materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent purchases.

Cost

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

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.

This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.

Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with competing watches.