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This latest model of the flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's top model and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore virtually anywhere and track all your movements.

That makes it an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

You do receive a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not included for free.

Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using typed or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, though the actual position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry 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 sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to note that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with services offered via the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling schemes 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

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

Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.

This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.

Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with competing watches.