🔗 Share this article

This newest version of the flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier model and designed to be the only gadget needed to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.

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 reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.

You do get a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the world can automatically guide you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.

Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar activities – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.

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

Once you have completed setup, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only 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 slow. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, though the actual position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance 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 easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to note that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with options offered through the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides recycling schemes 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 service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.

It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.

Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital features need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are slow, basic smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.