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The most recent model of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top device and designed to be the only gadget required to venture almost anywhere and track every activity.

This makes it an very 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 display – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a significant features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location

The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged 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 test out the service.

After you have completed setup, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, although the real position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is typically serviceable with services available through the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling 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).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.

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

This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.

Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, basic wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.