Garmin Fenix 8 Pro Review: Built-in LTE and Satellite Connectivity for Phone-Free Texting

The most recent iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the single gadget needed to venture virtually any location and monitor all your movements.

This positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to 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 significant features for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline maps of the world can automatically guide you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not included for no cost.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.

Check-ins and texts over orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering different allowances of orbital use, increasing 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 just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.

When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.

Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, although the actual position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.

These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is typically serviceable with options offered via the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent purchases.

Cost

This Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

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

This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and network.

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

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.

Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with competing watches.