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This newest iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure watch includes a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top device and designed to be the single gadget required to explore almost any location and track all your movements.

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

Users receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts over satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

After you have completed setup, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, though the actual location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to note that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with services offered through the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal programs 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

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 satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.

Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.

This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite functions require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with competing watches.