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This most recent iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the only gadget required to venture virtually anywhere and track all your movements.

That makes it an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £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 variant with microLED display – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.

Users receive a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location

The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not provided for free.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.

Check-ins and messages over orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

After you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.

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

Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to on its own send a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the real location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.

These features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.

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

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally repairable with options offered via the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent purchases.

Price

The 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 outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.

This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.