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

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the only tool required to venture almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.

That positions it as an very pricey 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 twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.

You do receive a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not provided for free.

Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or comparable activities – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts over orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

After you have got it set up, you simply 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 are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.

When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, though the actual location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

These features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate 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 safety feature, however it is essential to note that orbital 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 serviceable with services available through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.

Price

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).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are slow, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.