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The most recent iteration of the top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the only tool needed to venture 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 version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for free.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and messages over orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions including different allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.

Whenever 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 communicate reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, though the real location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.

All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with options offered through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.

Price

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

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.

It is very 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 monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are slow, basic smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.