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This most recent model of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's top model and designed to be the only gadget required to explore virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.

This positions it as an very pricey proposition, priced from £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 variant with microLED display – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure tracking. Its full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking

The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not included for free.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including different allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.

After you have completed setup, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically send a link to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and emergency SOS.

A guide 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 unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally repairable with options available through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent purchases.

Cost

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

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.