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The latest model of the top-tier Fenix outdoor watch introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's premier device and designed to be the single gadget needed to explore virtually any location and monitor every activity.

That positions it as an very pricey option, 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 get a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you lose your way absent 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, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not provided for free.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or similar activities – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including different allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

Once you have got it set up, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, though the actual location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to note that orbital service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with options offered through the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on new purchases.

Cost

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 begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

The result is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works 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 trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable features compared with competing watches.