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This latest version of the top-tier Fenix adventure watch includes a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the only gadget needed to explore almost anywhere and track all your movements.

That makes it an very expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. The complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location

The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not included for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and messages over satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans offering different quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

Once you have got it set up, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.

When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.

Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the real location has occasionally 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 updates and SOS SOS.

A guide displays 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 essential to note that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

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 original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.

Cost

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

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an even more impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. 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 anything else.

This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.