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The most recent iteration of the top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's top model and designed to be the only tool required to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.

This makes it an very expensive option, starting at £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 screen – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users receive a significant features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not provided for free.

Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Check-ins and texts via satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering different quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

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

Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, although the real location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches 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 displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to remember that orbital service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is typically serviceable with options offered via the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent 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 service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an even more impressive adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with competing watches.