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The most recent model of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and track every activity.

This makes it an extremely pricey option, 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 edition with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.

Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, biking or similar activities – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts over satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering various allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, although the actual position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

These features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with options offered via the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.

Price

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

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.

It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are slow, limited smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.