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This newest version of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the single tool needed to venture virtually any location and track all your movements.

This makes it an very expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts over satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering various quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

Once you have got it set up, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.

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

Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, though the real location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with options available via 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 does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on new purchases.

Cost

This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.

This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are slow, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.