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The latest version of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch includes a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's top device and engineered to be the single gadget needed to explore virtually anywhere and track every activity.

That positions it as an very pricey proposition, starting at £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 screen – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-capable products, SOS messaging is not included for free.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or similar activities – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and texts over orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans including various quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

After you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.

When you text someone, Garmin dispatches 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 communicate reciprocally via text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up 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 progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, although the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally repairable with options available via the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent 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 cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.

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 contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.

Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital functions need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.