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The newest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's top device and designed to be the single tool required to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.

This 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 display – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. Its full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not included for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.

Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering various quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, although the real location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital 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 transmits and gets messages 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 satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally repairable with services available via the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes 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 plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.

Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite features require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are sluggish, limited wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.