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This newest model of the top-tier Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's top device and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore virtually any location and monitor 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 climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version found 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 even with the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not included for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans including various quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.

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

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, although the real location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance 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 unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is typically serviceable with services offered through the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal 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 service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.

This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are slow, limited smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.