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This newest iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the single tool required to venture almost any location and monitor all your movements.

This makes it an very expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.

Location updates and texts via orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.

Once you have completed setup, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.

When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically send a link to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to note that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with options available via the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.

Cost

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 takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

Outcome is an even more 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 remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

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

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital features require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, limited wearable functionality versus competing watches.