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This newest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the single tool needed to venture almost any location and monitor every activity.

This positions it as an very expensive option, priced from £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 variant with microLED display – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.

Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts over orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including various allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

After you have got it set up, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.

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

Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a link to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the real location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.

A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically repairable with options offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent purchases.

Cost

This Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.

Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal 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 functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.

Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.