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This newest version of the premium Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.

This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.

That positions it as an very 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 screen – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you return 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 exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for free.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans offering various quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.

When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, though the actual position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.

A guide displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with services available through the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on recent purchases.

Cost

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

Conclusion

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, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.

This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable 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 screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are slow, basic wearable features compared with competing watches.