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The most recent iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

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

That positions it as an extremely 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 edition with microLED display – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.

Users get a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not included for free.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or similar pursuits – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and texts over satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans offering different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.

After you have got it set up, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via typed or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, though the real position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.

These features are available on other Garmin devices 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, position check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.

Cost

The Fenix 8 Pro costs 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).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.

It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and network.

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

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.