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The latest version of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the only tool required to venture almost anywhere and track every activity.

That positions it as an very pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable activities – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and messages over satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including different allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, though the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.

A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is typically serviceable with options offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides 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 subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

The result is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.

This is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite features require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are slow, basic smartwatch features compared with competing watches.