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This newest iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure watch introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's top model and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore almost anywhere and track all your movements.

That positions it as an very pricey option, starting at £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 edition with microLED screen – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor tracking. The complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not included for free.

Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or comparable activities – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages via satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, although the actual position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with options offered via the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent purchases.

Price

The Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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 builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.

This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.