The Fenix 8 Pro Review: Integrated LTE and Orbital Connectivity for Phone-Free Texting

The latest version of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.

This positions it as an extremely pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically guide you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. But 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 SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or similar pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.

When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the real position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows 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 safety feature, though it is important to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with services available via 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 reused components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.

Cost

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

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.

Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are slow, limited wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.