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This most recent iteration of the flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's top model and designed to be the only gadget required to venture virtually anywhere and track all your movements.

That positions it as an very pricey proposition, starting at £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 double the price of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. The complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location

Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not provided for free.

Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or comparable activities – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages via orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

Once you have got it set up, you just head out the door without 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, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.

Whenever 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 back and forth via text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work OK, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, though the actual location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.

All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance 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 surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically repairable with services offered through the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.

Cost

The 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

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.

Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.

It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and carrier.

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

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.