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This latest model of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch includes a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, plus an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the only gadget required to explore almost any location and track every activity.

This positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

Users get a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra 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

The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not provided for free.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out jogging, biking or similar pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including different allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

Once you have completed setup, you simply venture outside without 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, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, though the real location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.

All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with services available through 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 reused materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes 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 cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.

This is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.