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This latest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's top model and engineered to be the only tool needed to venture virtually any location and monitor every activity.

That makes it an very expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly double the price of the regular Fenix 8.

You do get a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure tracking. The full offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages via orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.

When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up 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 canned replies you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, although the real position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency 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 straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to note that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is typically repairable with services offered through the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers 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 optional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

Outcome is an even more impressive adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.

It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital features require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.