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This newest version of the flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's premier device and designed to be the single tool needed to venture virtually any location and monitor every activity.

This makes it an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the regular Fenix 8.

You do receive a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor tracking. Its full offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not provided for free.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out running, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages over satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including different quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

After you have got it set up, you just venture outside without 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 relatives and companions.

When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, though the real position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications 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 satellite service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with options available via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers recycling programs on recent purchases.

Cost

This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans 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 messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.

Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.