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The newest version of the premium Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the single tool required to venture virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.

This positions it as an very expensive option, priced from £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 screen – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. The full offline maps of the world can automatically direct 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, not the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out running, biking or similar pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans including different allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.

After you have completed setup, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.

When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

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

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, although the actual position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.

A guide 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 unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to note that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with options available via the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.

Cost

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

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want 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 does so without needing anything else.

This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants 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 messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.

Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are slow, basic wearable features compared with competing watches.