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This most recent version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the only gadget required to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.

That positions it as an very pricey proposition, 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 screen – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and texts over orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering different quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

Once you have got it set up, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random 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 via text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.

Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, though the real position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

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

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with options offered via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.

Cost

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

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive 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 remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

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

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital functions need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are sluggish, limited wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.