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This latest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the only tool required to explore almost anywhere and monitor every activity.

This makes it an very expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.

Users get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its 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 large, sharp and high-luminance display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans including various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.

After you have got it set up, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically send a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, though the actual location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to note that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with options available via the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling programs on new 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 takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite features need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.