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The latest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier device and designed to be the only tool needed to venture virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.

That positions it as an very expensive option, starting at £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 cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users receive a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

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

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not provided for free.

Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages over orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans including different allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

After you have got it set up, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.

When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.

Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work OK, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is typically serviceable with options offered through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling 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 plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

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

Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

This is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.