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The most recent model of the flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to venture almost anywhere and track every activity.

That positions it as an very expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.

Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages over orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans offering various allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited 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 connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.

When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, though the real position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to note that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically repairable with options available via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent purchases.

Cost

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

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an even more impressive adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.

It is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, basic wearable features compared with competing watches.