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The newest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the only tool required to venture virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.

This positions it as an very pricey 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 edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location

Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or similar activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts over satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans including different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

Once you have completed setup, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, although the real location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.

These features 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, location updates and SOS SOS.

A guide 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 unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is typically repairable with services available through the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent purchases.

Price

This Fenix 8 Pro costs 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

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.

This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.

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