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This newest model of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the single tool needed to venture virtually any location and monitor all your movements.

This positions it as an very pricey option, priced from £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 edition with microLED screen – nearly twice 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 full offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only 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. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not included for no cost.

Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar activities – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.

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

Once you have got it set up, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.

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

Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with services available through the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal programs on new purchases.

Price

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

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.

This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.

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

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.

Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are slow, basic wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.