Garmin Fenix 8 Pro Analysis: Built-in LTE and Orbital Connectivity for No-Phone Messaging

The latest version of the premium Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.

This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's top device and designed to be the only gadget needed to explore almost any location and monitor all your movements.

That makes it an very pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.

You do get a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.

This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.

No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking

The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not provided for free.

Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or comparable pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.

Location updates and texts over satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.

After you have completed setup, you just head out outside without 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, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or spoken messages, 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 composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, though the real location has sometimes lagged when moving 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 activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives 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 coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.

Sustainability

The watch is generally repairable with options offered through the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain 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 optional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Verdict

This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.

Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.

It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with all 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, biking or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.

Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.

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