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

The newest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the only tool needed to venture almost any location and track every activity.

That positions it as an very expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users receive a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other models, 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 screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking

The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not provided for free.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar activities – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and texts over satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.

Once you have completed setup, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.

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

Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically send a link to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, though the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.

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

A guide displays 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 surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically repairable with options offered via the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent purchases.

Price

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

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.

The result is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.

It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.

Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable features compared with competing watches.