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This newest iteration of the top-tier Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the single tool required to explore almost any location and monitor 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 model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

Users get a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and outdoor tracking. The full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not included for no cost.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or similar activities – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and messages via satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall 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 respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work OK, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, though the real position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, 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 important to remember that orbital service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with services available via the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent purchases.

Cost

This Fenix 8 Pro costs 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).

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.

It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.