🔗 Share this article

The most recent version of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's top device and engineered to be the single tool required to explore virtually any location and monitor all your movements.

This makes it an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £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 variant with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of watch 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 operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not included for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and texts via satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.

Once you have got it set up, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, although the real location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

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

A guide shows 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 surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with services offered via the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.

Cost

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

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.

It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.