Garmin Fenix 8 Pro Review: Integrated LTE and Satellite Communication for No-Phone Texting

The latest version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the single gadget required to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.

This makes it an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £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 double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not provided for free.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or similar pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and texts over orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including various quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.

Once you have got it set up, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.

Whenever 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 app, you can then message back and forth using typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, though the real position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.

All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Sustainability

The watch is typically repairable with services available through the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent purchases.

Cost

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

Verdict

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

Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.

It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions 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, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.