🔗 Share this article

The latest version of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.

This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the single gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and track every activity.

That positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, 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 variant with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

Users get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large 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, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking

The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not provided for free.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out running, biking or comparable activities – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and texts via satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering different allowances 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 service.

Once you have completed setup, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.

When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically send a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, although the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

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

A guide displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally repairable with services offered through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent purchases.

Price

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

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.

Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the features. 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 weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.