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This latest version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's top device and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore almost anywhere and track all your movements.

This makes it an very pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not provided for free.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or similar pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages over satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans including various allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

Once you have got it set up, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, though the real position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to note that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is typically serviceable with options offered through the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.

Price

This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that want 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 requiring additional gear.

It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are slow, basic wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.