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The newest version of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch introduces a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only gadget required to venture almost any location and monitor every activity.

That makes it an extremely expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location

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

Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar pursuits – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.

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

After you have got it set up, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.

When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Texting on the watch works 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 expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the real location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.

A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to remember that orbital service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally repairable with options offered via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.

Price

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

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want 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 freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.