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This newest iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only tool required to explore almost any location and track every activity.

This positions it as an extremely pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively 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 boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans offering various quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. 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 minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you text 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 via typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, though the actual location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.

A guide displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is typically repairable with services available through the support 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 offers 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).

Verdict

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

Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.

This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.