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

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.

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 screen – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.

Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or comparable pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including different quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.

After you have got it set up, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the real position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with services available via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers recycling programs on recent purchases.

Cost

This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

The result is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital features require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.