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The newest model of the premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's top model and designed to be the only tool required to explore virtually any location and track every activity.

This makes it an extremely pricey 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 variant with microLED display – nearly double the price of the regular Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not included for free.

Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts over satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including various quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

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 comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, although the actual location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

These features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications 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 satellite service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with services available via the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal programs 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 subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.

Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.