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The most recent model of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier device and designed to be the only gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and track every activity.

That positions it as an very expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar activities – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering various allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.

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

Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically send a link to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas 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 find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is typically serviceable with services offered via the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.

Price

The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.

This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.