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This most recent version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the single gadget needed to venture almost anywhere and track every activity.

That makes it an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £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 edition with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

Users get a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not provided for free.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or comparable activities – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and texts over satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering various quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.

After you have completed setup, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.

When you text someone, Garmin sends 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 typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, although the actual position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is typically repairable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on new purchases.

Price

The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. 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 needing additional gear.

This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.

Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable functionality versus competing watches.