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This most recent model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier model and designed to be the single gadget needed to explore almost any location and monitor all your movements.

That positions it as an very 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 display – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a significant features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.

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

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location

The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not provided for free.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts via orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including various allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically send a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, although the real location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, 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 locate the clear view 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 safety feature, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is restricted 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 typically repairable with options offered through the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent purchases.

Cost

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

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.

The result is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.

This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital features need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.