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

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only gadget needed to explore virtually anywhere and track every activity.

This positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £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 display – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or similar activities – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages over orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including different quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

Once you have completed setup, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends 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 typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, although the actual position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.

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 kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to remember that orbital service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically repairable with options offered through the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new 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 service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish 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 quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital features require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are slow, basic smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.