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This most recent iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the only gadget needed to venture almost any location and track all your movements.

That makes it an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £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.

You do receive a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location

Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or comparable pursuits – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.

Location updates and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including different allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.

Once you have completed setup, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can 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 back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, though the actual location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.

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

A guide displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with options available through the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.

Cost

The Fenix 8 Pro costs 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 fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.

It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.

Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.