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The latest model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the single tool needed to venture virtually anywhere and track every activity.

That makes it an very expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

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

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or similar activities – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.

Check-ins and messages over orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans offering various 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 test out the service.

After you have got it set up, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.

When you text 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 message reciprocally via typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.

Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked well, though the actual location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance 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 unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with services offered through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on recent purchases.

Cost

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

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.

Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

This is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.

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