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The newest model of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier device and designed to be the single gadget needed to venture almost any location and monitor every activity.

This makes it an extremely expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out running, biking or comparable activities – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and texts over satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including various allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

After you have got it set up, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, although the actual location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

These features 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 send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A guide displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with options offered through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling programs on recent purchases.

Cost

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

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

The result is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.

This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.

Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are slow, basic wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.