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This newest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's top model and designed to be the only gadget needed to venture almost any location and track all your movements.

This positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £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 edition with microLED display – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

You do receive a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.

Location updates and texts over satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive plans offering various quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

After you have got it set up, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via text or spoken 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.

Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily acts 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 lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with options available via the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides 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 service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor 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 anything else.

This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.