The Fenix 8 Pro Review: Built-in LTE and Orbital Communication for No-Phone Messaging

This latest iteration of the flagship Fenix adventure watch includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's top device and designed to be the only tool needed to venture almost anywhere and track all your movements.

That positions it as an very pricey option, starting at £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 price of the regular Fenix 8.

Users get a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.

No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.

Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or similar activities – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.

Check-ins and texts via orbital are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans offering different quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

Once you have got it set up, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.

When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.

Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your live 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 whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, though the actual location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.

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

A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with services available via the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new 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 packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.

This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.

Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are sluggish, basic wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.