🔗 Share this article

This newest version of the premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to explore virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.

This makes it an very pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages over satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.

After you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.

Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own send a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the real position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

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

A on-screen assistance shows you how to find 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, however it is important to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with services available via the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.

Price

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

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital 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 phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.

It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are sluggish, basic wearable functionality versus competing watches.