The Fenix 8 Pro Analysis: Built-in LTE and Satellite Communication for No-Phone Messaging

The most recent version of the top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.

The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's top model and designed to be the only gadget required to venture virtually any location and monitor every activity.

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

Users get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor tracking. The full offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.

This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.

Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking

The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.

Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.

Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.

Once you have completed setup, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.

Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.

Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not fantastic.

LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically send a link to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, although the real location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.

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

A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, 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, though it is important to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.

Environmental Impact

The watch is generally serviceable with services offered via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal 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 optional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).

Conclusion

This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.

Outcome is an even more impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.

It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.

The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.

Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.

Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are sluggish, limited wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.