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This most recent iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the single gadget required to venture almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.

That makes it an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.

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

This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not provided for free.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or similar activities – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including different allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have completed setup, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it mostly acts as a utility 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 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 orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically repairable with services available through the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.

Cost

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

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.

The result is an even more impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are sluggish, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.