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This latest iteration of the flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single tool required to venture virtually any location and track every activity.

This positions it as an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £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.

Users get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version 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 despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not included for no cost.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or comparable activities – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans including different quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

After you have got it set up, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, though the actual position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A guide 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 straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to note that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with options available via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.

Price

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

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.

It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital features require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.