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The newest model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the only tool required to venture virtually any location and monitor every activity.

This positions it as an extremely expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant features for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not included for free.

Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans including various quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

After you have completed setup, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.

Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, although the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.

A guide displays 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 unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity 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 optional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.