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This newest version of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore almost any location and track 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 version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not included for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or similar activities – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.

Once you have got it set up, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.

When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via text 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 sufficient to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable 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 wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, though the real position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position 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 essential to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally repairable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides recycling 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).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

The result is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.