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The newest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's top model and designed to be the single gadget required to explore virtually any location and track every activity.

That positions it as an very pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

Users receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. The complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and super-bright display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable activities – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up 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 canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the real position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

These features are accessible 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 send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to remember that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent purchases.

Cost

The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.

It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.