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This newest version of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the single gadget required to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.

That makes it an very pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.

Users receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages via satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans offering different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.

When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, though the actual position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.

All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring 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 guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.

Cost

The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin 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 adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.