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The latest model of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only tool needed to explore almost any location and monitor all your movements.

This makes it an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £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 edition with microLED display – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure tracking. Its full offline maps of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking

The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts via orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.

After you have completed setup, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, although the actual position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.

A guide displays 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 easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is typically repairable with services available through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling 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 additional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

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

Outcome is an even more impressive adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.

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

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.

Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.