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This latest model of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch introduces a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's top model and engineered to be the only gadget needed to venture almost any location and monitor all your movements.

That positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £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 twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

You do get a significant features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and texts via satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans including different allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.

Once you have completed setup, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.

When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or spoken communications, 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.

Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own send a link to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, though the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A guide displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to remember that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is typically repairable with options offered through the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling programs on new purchases.

Cost

The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, voice capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch features compared with competing watches.