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The newest version of the top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the single gadget needed to explore virtually anywhere and track every activity.

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

Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. The complete offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not provided for free.

Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, biking or similar pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages over satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans offering different allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

Once you have got it set up, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.

When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.

Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, although the real location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with services available via the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal 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 builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an even more remarkable outdoor 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 anything else.

This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are sluggish, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.