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This most recent version of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the single tool required to explore virtually anywhere and track every activity.

That makes it an extremely expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.

Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure tracking. The full offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.

Instead, subscriptions start at £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 engaged in running, biking or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages over orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

Once you have completed setup, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.

Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own send a link to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, though the real position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.

These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.

A guide displays 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 straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally repairable with services available via the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent 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 service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are sluggish, limited wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.