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This latest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the only tool needed to venture almost anywhere and track all your movements.

That positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have 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, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages over satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans including various allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends 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 message back and forth via typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.

Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own send a link to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, though the actual location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and emergency SOS.

A guide displays you how to find 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 vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically repairable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent 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

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

The result is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.

Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, limited smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.