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This newest iteration of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the single tool required to explore virtually any location and monitor all your movements.

That makes it an extremely pricey 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 display – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

Users get a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not included for no cost.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and texts via satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans offering different allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.

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 download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, although the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.

A guide 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 surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally repairable with options offered via the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.

Cost

The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.