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The latest model of the flagship Fenix adventure watch introduces a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's premier model and designed to be the single tool required to venture virtually any location and monitor all your movements.

This makes it an very pricey 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 edition with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts via orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

After you have completed setup, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.

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

Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, though the actual location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with services available through the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.

Cost

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

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.

It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

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