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The most recent model of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.

This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's top device and designed to be the single gadget needed to venture almost any location and monitor all your movements.

That positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.

Users receive a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts over satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. 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 cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.

When you text someone, Garmin sends 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 back and forth using text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform OK, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a link to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, though the real position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is typically serviceable with services available through the customer service 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 reused materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent purchases.

Cost

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

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.

It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.