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This latest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the single tool required to venture virtually any location and monitor all your movements.

This positions it as an extremely pricey option, 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 screen – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. Its full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS messaging is not provided for free.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans including different quotas of orbital 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 just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.

When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, though the actual location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency 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 straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with options offered through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.

Price

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

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

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

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable functionality compared with competing watches.