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This latest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's top model and designed to be the only tool required to venture virtually any location and monitor all your movements.

That positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £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 display – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users get a significant features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar activities – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts over satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.

When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only 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 collection of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own transmit 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 following race performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked well, although the real location has sometimes lagged when moving 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 areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is typically repairable with services available via the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.

Price

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 cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.

It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with competing watches.