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

The most recent version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch includes a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.

This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's premier model and designed to be the single gadget needed to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.

This positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.

You do receive a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and outdoor tracking. Its full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.

Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans offering different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.

After you have got it set up, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect 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 keep in touch with your family and friends.

When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, although the actual location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.

All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.

A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with options available via the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.

Cost

The Fenix 8 Pro costs 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).

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.

The result is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.

It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and network.

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

Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.

Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are sluggish, basic wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.