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The newest model of the top-tier Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the single gadget required to venture almost anywhere and track all your movements.

That makes it an extremely expensive proposition, 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 – nearly double the price of the regular Fenix 8.

Users receive a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor tracking. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not included for free.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar activities – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering various quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives 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 download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.

Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform OK, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, although the actual location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches 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, location updates and emergency SOS.

A guide displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to note that orbital coverage is restricted 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 repairable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides 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 additional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

Outcome is an even more impressive adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with competing watches.