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This most recent version of the premium Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the single gadget required to venture virtually any location and monitor every activity.

That positions it as an extremely pricey 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 screen – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not provided for free.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable activities – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and messages over orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.

Messaging 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 expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, although the real location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

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

A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with services available through the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.

Cost

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

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.

This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality 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 provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.