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This most recent model of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch includes a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the single gadget required to venture virtually any location and track every activity.

That makes it an extremely pricey 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 edition with microLED display – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not included for free.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages over satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

Once you have got it set up, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.

When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own send a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the real location has occasionally lagged when moving 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 lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically repairable with services available via the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.

Cost

The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages begin 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 incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable features versus competing watches.