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This most recent version of the premium Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the single tool required to explore virtually any location and monitor all your movements.

This positions it as an very expensive proposition, 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 edition with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the regular Fenix 8.

You do receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans including various quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.

When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, although the actual location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.

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

A guide displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally repairable with options offered through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers 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 optional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

The result is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.

It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are sluggish, basic wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.