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This most recent iteration of the top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the single tool required to explore almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.

That positions it as an very pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.

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

No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Check-ins and texts over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering different allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.

When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work OK, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, although the actual position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

All of these features are available on other Garmin devices 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, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to remember that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is typically repairable with options available through the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers recycling programs on new 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 service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

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

The result is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.

This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.