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The newest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the single tool needed to explore virtually anywhere and track every activity.

This positions it as an very expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, 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 models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out running, biking or similar pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.

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

Once you have got it set up, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.

When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate 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 phone number is enough to register for texts.

Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work OK, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the actual location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.

These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas 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 displays you how to locate the line of sight 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 crucial safety feature, though it is important to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with services available via the customer service portal. 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 offers 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 additional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

The result is an even more impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, voice capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.