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This newest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor watch introduces a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to venture almost anywhere and track every activity.

That positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £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 get a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the world can automatically guide you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not provided for free.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including various quotas of satellite usage, increasing 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 completed setup, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough 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 collection of customisable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, though the real position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with services offered via the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent purchases.

Cost

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

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.

This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are slow, limited wearable features compared with competing watches.