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The most recent iteration of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single tool needed to venture virtually any location and monitor all your movements.

That positions it as an very pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version 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.

Users get a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not included for free.

Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts via orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including different quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

Once you have completed setup, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own send a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, although the actual location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with services offered via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.

Cost

This 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).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.

It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable functionality versus competing watches.