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This latest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's top model and designed to be the only tool required to explore almost any location and track all your movements.

That positions it as an very expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £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 significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not included for no cost.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or similar pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages over orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering various allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

After you have got it set up, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.

When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches 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 check-ins and SOS SOS.

A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with services available via the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling programs 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).

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.

The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a 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 reliant on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.

Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital features require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.