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The newest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only tool required to venture virtually any location and track every activity.

This makes it an extremely pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, movement and outdoor tracking. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not provided for free.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or similar activities – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including various allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, though the real position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally repairable with services available through the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.

Price

The Fenix 8 Pro costs 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).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.

This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at 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. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with competing watches.