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This latest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor watch includes a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the single gadget needed to explore virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.

That makes it an extremely pricey option, starting at £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 cost of the regular Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically guide you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.

Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.

Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans offering 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 evaluate the service.

Once you have got it set up, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.

When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations 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 activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, although the real position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with options offered through 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 lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.

Price

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

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.

Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.

It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.

Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality versus competing watches.