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The newest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the single gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and track all your movements.

That makes it an extremely pricey option, priced from £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 edition with microLED display – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.

Users receive a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. The full offline maps of the world can automatically direct you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra 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 operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not included for free.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out jogging, biking or similar activities – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Check-ins and texts over satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including various allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

Once you have completed setup, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.

When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, though the real position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.

A guide displays you how to find the clear view 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 vital safety feature, though it is essential to note that orbital service 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 typically serviceable with services offered through the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.

Cost

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

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.

This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice 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 functions require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are slow, basic smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.