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This latest model of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch introduces a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the single gadget needed to explore virtually any location and monitor every activity.

That makes it an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or similar activities – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering various allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

Once you have completed setup, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

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

Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the real location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.

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

A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is typically serviceable with services available through the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent purchases.

Price

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

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.

Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable features versus competing watches.