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This newest model of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch introduces a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the only gadget required to venture almost any location and monitor all your movements.

This positions it as an very pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.

Users get a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can automatically direct you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not included for free.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable activities – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering various quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally worked well, though the real location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

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 send texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically repairable with options available through the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.

Price

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

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

The result is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.

This is very 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 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 carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are sluggish, limited wearable functionality versus competing watches.