The Fenix 8 Pro Analysis: Integrated LTE and Satellite Connectivity for No-Phone Texting

This latest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.

The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, plus an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the single tool required to explore virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.

This makes it an extremely pricey proposition, 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 variant with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.

Users receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.

The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.

Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, biking or similar pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages over satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering various allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.

Once you have got it set up, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.

When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.

Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not ideal.

LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, though the real location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.

All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices 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, position updates and SOS SOS.

A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.

Price

This Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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 excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.

The result is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.

It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and network.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.

Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.

Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.