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This most recent iteration of the premium Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.

That makes it an extremely expensive proposition, 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 variant with microLED display – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking

The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.

Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and messages over satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period 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 link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, although the real position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.

These features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows 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 straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to note 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 typically repairable with options offered via the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent purchases.

Cost

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

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are slow, limited smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.