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This latest model of the premium Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's top device and designed to be the only tool needed to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.

That positions it as an very expensive option, 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 edition with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering various allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

After you have got it set up, you just venture 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 can place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically send a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, though the real position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with options available via the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.

Price

This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.

The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.