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This most recent model of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's top model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.

This makes it an very pricey option, 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 variant with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure tracking. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.

Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or comparable pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.

Check-ins and messages over orbital are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including different allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.

Once you have completed setup, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.

When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, although the real location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.

All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is typically serviceable with options offered via the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides recycling programs on new purchases.

Price

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

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.

The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.

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

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.

Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are slow, limited smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.