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This newest model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, plus an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's top model and designed to be the single gadget required to venture virtually any location and track every activity.

This makes it an extremely expensive option, priced from £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 display – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. Its full offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for free.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.

After you have got it set up, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.

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

Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, although the actual position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

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

A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view 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 safety feature, however it is important to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is typically serviceable with options offered through the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal programs on new purchases.

Cost

The 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).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, basic wearable functionality compared with competing watches.