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The newest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only gadget needed to venture virtually any location and monitor every activity.

This makes it an extremely pricey option, starting at £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 price of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not included for free.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or comparable activities – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts over satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including different quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out 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 streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.

Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.

Cost

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

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider 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, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable features compared with competing watches.