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The most recent model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore almost anywhere and monitor every activity.

This positions it as an very expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.

Users receive a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But 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 Texting, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not included for free.

Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or similar activities – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts over satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including different allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.

After you have got it set up, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, though the actual location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.

These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications 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 orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with options available via the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.

Price

The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.

It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital features require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with competing watches.