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

The newest iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.

This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top device and designed to be the only tool required to venture almost anywhere and track all your movements.

That makes it an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £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 variant with microLED display – nearly double the price of the regular Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can automatically guide you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.

Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and messages via satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.

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 app, you can then message reciprocally using text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.

These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.

A guide displays 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 crucial lifeline, though it is important to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers 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 optional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

The result is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.

This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.