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The newest model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the single tool needed to venture virtually any location and track every activity.

That makes it an extremely expensive option, starting at £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 screen – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts via orbital are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.

Once you have got it set up, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.

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 install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth using typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.

Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, although the real position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the clear view 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 vital safety feature, though it is important to remember that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with services available via the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.

Price

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 adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

The result is an even more impressive adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.

It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.

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

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite features need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are slow, limited wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.