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The newest iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.

This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to venture almost any location and monitor every activity.

That positions it as an very pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching 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 features for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor tracking. The complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not provided for free.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or similar pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages via orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans offering various allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

After you have got it set up, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have 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 typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, though the real location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.

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

A guide displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with services offered through the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent 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 service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

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

Outcome is an even more impressive adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.

It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital features need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, limited wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.