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The newest version of the top-tier Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.

This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the only tool needed to venture almost any location and track all your movements.

That positions it as an extremely pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not included for free.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, biking or similar pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and messages via orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans offering different quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.

After you have got it set up, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.

Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the real location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.

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 transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight 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 vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with services 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 offers recycling schemes on recent purchases.

Cost

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

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

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

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

Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital functions need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are sluggish, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.