🔗 Share this article

The most recent model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and designed to be the single tool needed to venture almost any location and track every activity.

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

You do receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.

Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

Once 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 are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.

When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, although the actual location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to remember that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is typically repairable with services available via the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.

Cost

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

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.

The result is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.

This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are sluggish, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.