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The latest iteration of the flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the only gadget required to explore virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.

That positions it as an very pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.

Users receive a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. The full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not provided for free.

Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts via satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have completed setup, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.

Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

These features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with options available via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on recent purchases.

Cost

The Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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 builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.

This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable functionality compared with competing watches.