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The most recent model of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the only gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.

This positions it as an very 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 edition with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure monitoring. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable activities – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.

Location updates and texts over orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering 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 evaluate the functionality.

After you have got it set up, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work OK, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, although the real position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.

These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.

A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to note that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with options offered through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling 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 packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.

It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide 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 killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.