🔗 Share this article

The latest iteration of the premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.

That makes it an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £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 significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not provided for free.

Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or comparable activities – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts over satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans offering different quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.

Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, although the real location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.

These features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with services offered through the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent purchases.

Cost

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

Conclusion

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

The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are slow, limited wearable functionality versus competing watches.