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The newest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the single gadget required to explore virtually any location and track every activity.

This makes it an extremely 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 variant with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a significant features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not included for free.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or similar pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts via satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans offering various quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

After you have got it set up, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.

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

Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, though the real location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.

These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices 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 updates and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to remember that orbital service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is typically serviceable with services offered via the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers disposal programs 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 packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard 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.

The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are slow, basic wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.