🔗 Share this article

The newest iteration of the premium Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's top model and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore virtually anywhere and track all your movements.

This makes it an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not included for no cost.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or similar activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages over satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering different allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.

After you have got it set up, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.

When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, though the real position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.

These features 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, location updates and SOS SOS.

A guide displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with options offered through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.

Cost

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

Conclusion

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

The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

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

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.