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This newest model of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the single gadget needed to explore virtually anywhere 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 climbing to a colossal £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 get a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages via satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.

After you have got it set up, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

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

Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, although the actual location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.

These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to remember that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is typically serviceable with services available via the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.

Price

This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans cost 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 coverage.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions 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 hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.

Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with competing watches.