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This newest version of the premium Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and designed to be the only gadget needed to explore almost any location and monitor all your movements.

This positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, 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 variant with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts via orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering various quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

Once you have got it set up, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary 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 spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, though the actual position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with services offered through the support portal. The battery is rated to retain 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 recent purchases.

Price

This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.

This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.