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This most recent model of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the single tool needed to explore almost any location and track every activity.

That positions it as an very pricey option, priced from £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 – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not included for no cost.

Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts via orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans offering various allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have completed setup, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.

Whenever you text 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 communicate reciprocally using typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the real location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

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

A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally repairable with options offered through the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers recycling schemes 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 packages begin 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 texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.

This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite functions need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.