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This newest iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.

This makes it an very expensive proposition, starting at £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 screen – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.

Users get a significant features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you return to the path if you get lost without 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 sizes, not the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not included for no cost.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and texts via orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans offering different allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of 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.

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

A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with options offered via the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.

Cost

This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

Outcome is an even more impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.