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This newest model of the top-tier Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's top model and designed to be the single tool needed to venture virtually any location and monitor all your movements.

This positions it as an very pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.

Users receive a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure tracking. Its full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or comparable activities – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages over orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions including different quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth using text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, although the real location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with options offered via the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides disposal 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 service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.

It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.