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The most recent iteration of the flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the single gadget required to venture virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.

That makes it an very pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. The full offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size found 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 watch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable activities – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts over orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering various allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.

Once you have got it set up, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, although the real position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.

These features are accessible 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 send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

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 power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.

Cost

The 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).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

Outcome is an even more impressive adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not reliant 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 hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are slow, basic smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.