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The most recent model of the premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and designed to be the only gadget needed to venture virtually any location and monitor all your movements.

This positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location

Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not included for free.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar activities – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts over orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans offering various quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, though the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

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 displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally serviceable with services offered through the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent purchases.

Cost

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

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an even more impressive adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.

This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial 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 carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable functionality versus competing watches.