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The newest version of the top-tier Fenix outdoor watch introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's top device and engineered to be the only tool needed to venture almost any location and track all your movements.

That makes it an very pricey option, priced from £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 edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable activities – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages over satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

Once you have completed setup, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via text or spoken messages, 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 time-consuming. It has a set of customisable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, although the actual position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

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 orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A guide shows 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 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, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is typically repairable with options offered via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers recycling programs on recent purchases.

Price

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

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.

It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with competing watches.