🔗 Share this article

The newest model of the flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the single tool required to explore virtually any location and monitor all your movements.

That makes it an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant features for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not provided for free.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts via satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.

Once you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, although the real location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the line of sight 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, though it is essential to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is typically repairable with options available through the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent purchases.

Price

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

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable functionality versus competing watches.