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This most recent model of the flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier model and designed to be the single tool required to explore virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.

This positions it as an extremely expensive option, 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 screen – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and outdoor tracking. Its full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available 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. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.

Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or comparable pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and messages via orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including various quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

After you have completed setup, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth using text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, although the real location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.

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

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically repairable with options available via the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.

Cost

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

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money 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 standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.