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This latest iteration of the flagship Fenix adventure watch includes a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and designed to be the single tool required to venture virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.

This positions it as an very expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a significant features for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out jogging, biking or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

Once you have got it set up, you simply head out the door minus 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, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile 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 customisable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the actual position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with options available via the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial 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 optional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.

This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.