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This most recent version of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the only tool needed to venture virtually any location and monitor all your movements.

That makes it an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location

The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not included for no cost.

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

Check-ins and texts over satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including different allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.

Once you have completed setup, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, though the actual location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

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

A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to remember that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally repairable with services offered via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.

Cost

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

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor 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 remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.

It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are slow, limited wearable functionality compared with competing watches.