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This newest model of the premium Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's top model and designed to be the single tool required to venture almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.

That positions it as an very expensive option, priced from £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 variant with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.

Users receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not provided for free.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable activities – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages over orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including various quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

Once you have completed setup, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply 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 make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.

Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own send a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, although the real position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

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

A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most 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 offered through the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling 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 subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.

Outcome is an even more impressive adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.

It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable features compared with competing watches.