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The newest version of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the only tool required to explore virtually anywhere and track all your movements.

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 screen – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.

Users receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, 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 display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not provided for free.

Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts over orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions including different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

After you have completed setup, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.

When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own 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 progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, though the real position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.

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

A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with options available through the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.

Cost

This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

It is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are sluggish, basic smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.