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The latest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top device and designed to be the single tool required to explore almost anywhere and monitor every activity.

That 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 screen – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users receive a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.

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

Once you have completed setup, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, although the actual location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

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

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

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with options available via the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.

Cost

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

Verdict

This 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 coverage.

Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

This is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are slow, limited smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.