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The most recent iteration of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore virtually any location and track every activity.

That positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version 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 fitness, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not included for no cost.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans including different allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends 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 text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow 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 know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, although the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.

These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to note that satellite service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is typically repairable with options offered via the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.

Price

The Fenix 8 Pro costs 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).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. 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 requiring additional gear.

This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.