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The most recent iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's top device and designed to be the only gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.

This makes it an very pricey 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.

You do get a significant features for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location

The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not provided for free.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar activities – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages over satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering various quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have completed setup, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough 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 pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate 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 essential to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is typically repairable with services offered through the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent purchases.

Cost

This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device 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 requiring additional gear.

It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.

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

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital features require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are sluggish, basic wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.