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The most recent version of the premium Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only tool required to venture virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.

That 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 colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a significant features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. The complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS messaging is not included for free.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, biking or similar pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and messages over orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering different quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial 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 connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to note that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with options offered through the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.

Price

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

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.

This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

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

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are slow, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.