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The latest version of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore virtually anywhere and track all your movements.

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

You do receive a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure tracking. The full offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts via orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans including various quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

After you have completed setup, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.

Whenever 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 reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, though the actual position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

All of 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 activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view 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 essential to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is typically repairable with options available via the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.

Price

The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional 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 standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are slow, limited wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.