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This most recent iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's top model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to explore almost any location and track all your movements.

This makes it an very expensive proposition, 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 display – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.

Users get a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or comparable activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages over orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including different allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

After you have got it set up, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, though the real position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.

These features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with options offered via the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new 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 begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.

This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.

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

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are slow, limited wearable features compared with competing watches.