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This latest iteration of the flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the only tool needed to venture virtually any location and monitor all your movements.

This makes it an very pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch 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 operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not provided for free.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or similar pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts over satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering different allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

After you have got it set up, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.

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 download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.

Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work OK, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, although the real position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.

These features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and SOS SOS.

A guide displays you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to note that satellite service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with options offered via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers recycling programs on new 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).

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.