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This latest model of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the single gadget required to venture almost any location and track all your movements.

That makes it an extremely expensive 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 double the price of the regular Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not included for free.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including different quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.

After you have got it set up, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, although the actual location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

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

A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with options offered through the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on new purchases.

Price

This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.

This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.