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This newest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier model and designed to be the single gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.

This makes it an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £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 – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.

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

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or similar activities – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.

Location updates and texts over orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans offering various quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations 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 selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the actual location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these capabilities are available 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 send texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight 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 lifeline, though it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is typically serviceable with options offered via the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.

Price

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

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.