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This newest iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the single gadget required to venture almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.

This makes it an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £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 – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users receive a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not provided for free.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.

Location updates and messages via orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans including various allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited 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 minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient 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 collection of personalizable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own send a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, though the actual position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring 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 check-ins and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with services offered via the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.

Price

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

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.

It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable features compared with competing watches.