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This most recent iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top model and designed to be the single tool required to explore almost any location and track every activity.

This makes it an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £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 edition with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not included for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.

Location updates and texts via satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans including various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.

Once 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 similar activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth using text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, although the actual location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.

These features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with options offered through the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent purchases.

Price

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

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

The result is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.

Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.