The Fenix 8 Pro Review: Built-in LTE and Orbital Connectivity for Phone-Free Messaging

The latest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch includes a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's top model and engineered to be the single tool needed to venture virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.

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 substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

Users receive a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor tracking. The complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and super-bright display.

The 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 bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location

Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not provided for free.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts over satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans including different allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.

After you have got it set up, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.

When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.

Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, although the actual location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates 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 vital safety feature, however it is essential to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally repairable with services available 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 does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.

Cost

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

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with competing watches.