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The newest version of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the only tool required to explore almost any location and track all your movements.

This makes it an very 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 twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts via orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans including various quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.

When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth using typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, although the actual location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.

These features are accessible on other Garmin watches 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, position check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with services offered via the customer service 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 recycled components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.

Cost

This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

The result is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

This is quite 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 recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are slow, basic wearable features versus competing watches.