Garmin Fenix 8 Pro Review: Integrated LTE and Satellite Connectivity for Phone-Free Messaging

This latest iteration of the top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, plus an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's top model and designed to be the only gadget needed to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.

This positions it as an very expensive proposition, 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.

Users receive a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size 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 watch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts over satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including various quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.

Once you have got it set up, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.

Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

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

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the real location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, 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 satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is typically serviceable with services offered via the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides 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 additional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost 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 – along with orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.

The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, limited wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.

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