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This latest model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure watch includes a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and designed to be the only gadget needed to venture almost anywhere and track all your movements.

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

You do receive a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger 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 charging.

No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not included for no cost.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out running, biking or comparable pursuits – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including different quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

Once you have got it set up, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.

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

Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, although the actual position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good 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 send texts, location 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 messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is typically serviceable with services available through the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.

Cost

The 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

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

Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.

It is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital features need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are slow, limited wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.