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The latest iteration of the flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's top model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to explore virtually any location and monitor all your movements.

This makes it an extremely 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 variant with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its full offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts via satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering various allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.

After you have completed setup, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.

Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, although the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.

These features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, 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 coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with services available via the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.

Price

The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional 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 regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

The result is an even more impressive adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are sluggish, basic wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.