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The newest iteration of the premium Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the only tool required to venture virtually any location and monitor all your movements.

That positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, 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 regular Fenix 8.

Users receive a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not included for free.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts over satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including different quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have completed setup, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.

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

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the real position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

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

A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally repairable with options offered via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers 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).

Verdict

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

Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with premier 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 diving, buttons and touch.

Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with competing watches.