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The most recent version of the flagship Fenix adventure watch includes a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's top model and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore virtually any location and monitor all your movements.

This positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a significant features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location

Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not provided for free.

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

Location updates and messages over satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans including various quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have completed setup, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

Whenever 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 back and forth via typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.

Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically send a link to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, although the actual location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.

All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.

A guide displays you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with options available via the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.

Price

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

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds 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 remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.

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

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.