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This newest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the single tool required to explore almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.

This positions it as an very pricey option, priced from £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 display – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure tracking. Its full offline maps of the world can automatically direct you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.

Location updates and messages over satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.

Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have 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 typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, although the real position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

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

A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight 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 safety feature, however it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is typically repairable with options available through the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.

Price

This 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 fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.

It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, limited wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.