🔗 Share this article

The newest version of the flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the single gadget needed to explore almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.

That makes it an very pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or similar activities – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages via orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including various quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

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

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, though the actual location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.

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

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with options available through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.

Cost

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

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result 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 running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.

This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent 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 weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable features compared with competing watches.