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The newest version of the top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore almost any location and monitor all your movements.

This positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.

You do get a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.

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 smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, biking or similar activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and texts via orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.

When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, although the actual location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to remember that orbital service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically repairable with options available via the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on new purchases.

Cost

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

Verdict

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

The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.

It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any 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, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are slow, limited smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.