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The newest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch includes a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the single tool required to explore almost anywhere and track all your movements.

This positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

You do receive a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure tracking. Its full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested 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.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not provided for free.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or similar pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans including various allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.

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

Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, although the actual location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.

These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally repairable with options offered via the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent purchases.

Cost

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

Verdict

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

The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.

This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.