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This latest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top model and designed to be the single tool required to venture virtually anywhere and track all your movements.

That positions it as an extremely pricey option, 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 edition with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.

Users receive a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including various quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.

Once you have completed setup, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only 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 time-consuming. It has a set of customisable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, although the real position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.

These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with services available via the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling 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 packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.

It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.