🔗 Share this article

The newest version of the premium Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the single tool needed to explore almost any location and monitor all your movements.

That positions it as 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 edition with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.

You do receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.

Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages over satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including different quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.

When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone 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 voice communications, and make 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 works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, although the actual location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

These features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.

A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to remember that orbital service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is typically repairable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.

Price

The Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.