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This latest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore virtually any location and monitor all your movements.

That positions it as an extremely pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.

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

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not included for free.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering various allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.

When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, although the actual location has occasionally lagged 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 does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to note that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally repairable with services available via the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.

Price

This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

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

The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.

Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite functions require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.