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This most recent model of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only gadget needed to venture almost any location and track every activity.

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 substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.

Users receive a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure tracking. Its full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking

The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.

Location updates and texts via satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans offering various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

After you have completed setup, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not 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 text 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 back and forth via typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the real position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.

All of these features are available on other Garmin devices 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 check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with options available through the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling programs on new 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 plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.

This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are sluggish, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.