The Fenix 8 Pro Review: Integrated LTE and Satellite Communication for Phone-Free Texting

This most recent iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's top device and designed to be the single tool required to venture almost any location and monitor all your movements.

This makes it an very expensive option, starting at £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 edition with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

You do receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not included for free.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or comparable activities – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages over satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via typed or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, although the actual location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with options available via the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.

Price

This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

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

Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are slow, basic smartwatch features compared with competing watches.