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This latest model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure watch introduces a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only tool required to venture almost anywhere and monitor every activity.

That positions it as an very pricey option, starting at £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 edition with microLED screen – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

Users get a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not provided for free.

Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar activities – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts over satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.

Whenever you message 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 reciprocally using typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.

Texting 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 replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically send a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, though the actual location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally repairable with services available through the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. 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 additional Garmin inReach service 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 standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

This is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at 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. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.

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

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.

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