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This latest model of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's top model and designed to be the single tool needed to venture virtually any location and track every activity.

That positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £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 edition with microLED display – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.

Users receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or similar activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts via orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans offering various quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not 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 family and companions.

When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.

Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, though the actual location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.

All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight 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 vital lifeline, though it is important to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is typically serviceable with services offered via the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent purchases.

Price

The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages 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 incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.

This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.

Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital features need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch features compared with competing watches.