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The most recent version of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's top model and designed to be the single gadget needed to venture almost anywhere and monitor every activity.

This 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 – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger 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.

No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not included for free.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or similar pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts over satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans including various quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

After you have got it set up, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.

When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, though the real position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

These features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.

Price

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

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.

It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.