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The newest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the only gadget required to venture virtually anywhere and track all your movements.

That makes it an extremely pricey 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 edition with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.

Users receive a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not included for free.

Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or comparable activities – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts over satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including different quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.

After you have completed setup, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, though the actual position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically repairable with services available via the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.

Price

This Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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 fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.

The result is an even more impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.

It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.

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

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital features require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.