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This newest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the single tool required to explore virtually anywhere and track all your movements.

That positions it as an very expensive proposition, starting at £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 edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure monitoring. Its full offline maps of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location

Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including different allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

Once you have completed setup, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, although the actual location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

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

A guide displays you how to find the clear view 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 vital lifeline, however it is important to remember that orbital service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is typically serviceable with services offered through the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent 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 service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on 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 functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, limited wearable features compared with competing watches.