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This most recent version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the single tool needed to explore almost anywhere and monitor every activity.

This makes it an extremely pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly double the price of the regular Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor tracking. The complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.

When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, though the real position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is typically repairable with services offered through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.

Price

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

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.

Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.

This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable features versus competing watches.