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The most recent iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the single tool needed to venture almost any location and track 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 cost of the regular Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking

The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not included for free.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, biking or similar activities – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.

Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

After you have completed setup, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, although the real position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and SOS SOS.

A guide shows 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 lifeline, though it is important to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with options offered through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.

Price

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

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.

It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with any brand 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, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.