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

The most recent model of the premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, plus an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the only tool required to venture almost anywhere and monitor every activity.

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 colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright display.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not included for no cost.

Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages over satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans offering different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

After you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.

When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally 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 enough to sign up for texts.

Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own send a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, although the real location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.

All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance shows you how to find 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 safety feature, however it is important to note that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally repairable with services available via the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent 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 service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.

It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and network.

This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with competing watches.