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This latest version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.

This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the single tool required to explore virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.

This positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, 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 reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not included for free.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts over orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including different allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

After you have got it set up, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.

When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, though the real location has sometimes lagged when transitioning 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 does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and SOS SOS.

A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is typically repairable with options available via the customer service site. 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 disposal schemes on new purchases.

Cost

This Fenix 8 Pro costs 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).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.