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This most recent version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only tool required to explore almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.

That positions it as an extremely expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not included for free.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or similar activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions including different quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period 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 cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work OK, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked well, though the actual position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.

All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with options available through the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers disposal programs 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 plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.

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

This is very 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 monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and network.

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 locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.