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The newest model of the top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top device and designed to be the single gadget required to explore almost any location and track every activity.

This makes it an extremely expensive 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 variant with microLED display – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline maps of the world can automatically guide you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location

Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not included for free.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or comparable pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and texts over orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans offering various allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.

When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked well, although the real location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with services available via the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.

Price

This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service 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 regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.

Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

This is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality versus competing watches.