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The newest iteration of the premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only tool required to explore almost anywhere and monitor every activity.

That makes it an very pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

You do get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, 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 even with the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location

The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar activities – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.

Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including various quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited 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 the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, though the actual position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.

All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with services available via the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on recent purchases.

Cost

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

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.

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

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are slow, limited wearable features versus competing watches.