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This most recent model of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's top device and engineered to be the only gadget required to explore almost anywhere and track all your movements.

That positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.

After you have got it set up, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch 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 app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.

Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, though the real position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

These features are available on other Garmin devices 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 check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows 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 essential to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally repairable with options available through the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.

Price

This Fenix 8 Pro costs 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).

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.

This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.

Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.