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This latest version of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore almost any location and track all your movements.

This positions it as an very pricey option, priced from £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 price of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not included for free.

Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans offering various allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

After you have got it set up, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.

When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the actual position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with options offered through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.

Price

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 cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.

Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.

This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.