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This latest model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the single gadget needed to explore almost any location and monitor all your movements.

That positions it as an extremely expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages over orbital are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans offering 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 without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.

When you text someone, Garmin dispatches 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 back and forth using typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. 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 position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, though the actual position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these features 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, location check-ins and SOS SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to note that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with options offered through the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal programs on new purchases.

Cost

The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.

Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.

It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone 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 touchscreen.

Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.