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The newest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch includes a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, plus an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the single gadget required to venture virtually any location and monitor every activity.

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

Users get a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or comparable activities – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans offering different quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

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

Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, though the real location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with options available via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on new 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 plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.

It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are sluggish, basic wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.