🔗 Share this article

The newest iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the single gadget needed to explore virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.

That positions it as an very expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. The full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or comparable activities – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.

Once you have completed setup, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

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

Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, though the real location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to remember that orbital service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically repairable with options offered through the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling programs on new purchases.

Cost

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

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.

Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.