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The latest iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single tool required to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.

This positions it as an extremely expensive 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 variant with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor tracking. Its full offline maps of the world can automatically guide you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch 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

The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

After you have got it set up, you simply venture outside 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 make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.

Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, though the actual position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

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

A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with services available via the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal programs 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 subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.

Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are sluggish, basic wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.