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This newest version of the premium Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore almost any location and track every activity.

This positions it as an extremely expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

You do receive a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not provided for free.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar pursuits – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.

Location updates and texts over orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including different allowances 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 functionality.

After you have completed setup, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.

When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth using typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has generally worked well, although the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

These features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view 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, though it is important to remember that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with options offered via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent purchases.

Price

This Fenix 8 Pro costs 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).

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.

It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.