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The newest model of the premium Fenix adventure timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier model and designed to be the only gadget required to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.

That makes it an extremely pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.

Users receive a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version 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 watch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering various quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you simply head out the door minus 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, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch 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 message back and forth via typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, although the actual position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.

These features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to note that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is typically serviceable with services offered through the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. 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 service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

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

Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and network.

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

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline commands, 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: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.