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This latest model of the top-tier Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the single gadget required to venture almost anywhere and track all your movements.

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

You do get a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not provided for free.

Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans offering various quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.

Once you have completed setup, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, though the actual position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.

All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with options available through the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.

Price

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

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

The result is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.

It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.