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The most recent model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single gadget required to venture almost anywhere and track all your movements.

This positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. The full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not included for free.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out running, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.

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

Once you have got it set up, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected 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 download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth using typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable canned replies 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 lengthy conversations as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, although the actual location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically repairable with options available via the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.

Cost

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

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.

This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital features need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.