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This latest version of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's top device and engineered to be the single gadget needed to venture almost any location and monitor all your movements.

That positions it as an very pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

Users get a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and texts over orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including different quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.

When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically send a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the real location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows 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 straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to note that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with options available via the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent 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 service plans 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 incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.

The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

It is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are sluggish, basic wearable features versus competing watches.