Right out of the box, the fēnix 8 Pro feels like one of those models you upgrade to as a longstanding Garmin tech user who wants the biggest and brightest smartwatch in the range.
The 51mm case size is unapologetically robust, with the kind of presence that declares you mean business — whether you’re headed into the wild, onto the golf course or just into another Tuesday meeting with HR.
Garmin has forged a well-earned reputation in its fēnix line for feature-rich and rugged timekeeping, health tracking and sports assistance; now with the Pro and its AMOLED touchscreen dial, you’re looking at something that blends high‑end smartwatch polish with expedition‑ready utility.
Its key feature is right up front, the best AMOLED screen on the market, which is eye-catching from across a crowded room, and beautifully detailed up close, even under bright sunny skies.
The colours pop, the interface feels modern, and it steps away from the old memory‑in‑pixel (MIP) displays of past adventure‑watches that sacrificed glam for efficiency.
The screen is power-hungry, but the watch will still work for almost a month in smartwatch mode, when its GPS connectivity is lightly used and multi-band satellite link is disabled. Activate everything, including Garmin’s LTE LiveTrack, and it will keep running for a day.
This isn’t just a pretty face. Garmin has stacked the fēnix 8 series — and the Pro in particular — with serious hardware: multiband GPS, topo maps, dive‑rated buttons, altimeter, barometer, all that adventure‑geek goodness.
Early reviewers have declared it “without a doubt the best GPS sports watch that money can buy,” and “industry‑leading when it comes to GPS accuracy across every sport.” If you live in the world of waypoints, splits, undulations and sweat‑dripping effort, this watch will not let you down.
On the golf course, it quickly became an invaluable aid: a caddie on your wrist that builds up knowledge of your game and dispenses trusted advice on every shot.
The build quality invites confidence. Titanium or steel bezels (depending on version), scratch‑resistant glass on the higher end, water resistance to 10 ATM. It feels comfortable, safe and solid — not showy, despite its substantial size.
Strap it on and moments later you will forget you’re wearing it, until it buzzes to tell you a WhatsApp message has arrived.
The smartwatch has a built in flashlight.
Experienced Garmin users will quickly acclimatise to the way it is operated with a combination of five physical pushers with touchscreen taps and swipes.
For the less familiar, the sheer volume of features can be overwhelming. Most will use it for a regular fix of familiar functions and disregard the rest.
Despite its big screen, I still found Garmin’s suite of smartphone apps important for tracking, presenting and sharing data. For golf, you leave your phone in your pocket and use the watch constantly on the course, but at home, I went deeper into the weeds of my round on the Garmin Golf app.
At £1,120, this is at the top and of Garmin’s smartwatch range, topped only by the MARQ range that brings Swiss watch style finishing to the connected family.
The size and precision of the screen, requiring a mighty 51mm chassis, are both its greatest strength while a turn off for some in an era of girly Cartiers being worn by metrosexual men.
For athletes, it will appeal to anybody who refuses to compromise as they train, explore or travel to the remotest parts of the world.
If you’re okay spending the cash, don’t care whether it slips under a tailored cuff and don’t fret about occasionally plugging in, this is your toy.
Conclusion
The fēnix 8 Pro – 51 mm, AMOLED is bold. It’s everything you expect from premium Garmin adventure‑wristwear — and then adds a layer of luxe with the AMOLED tech.
It’s built like a tank, has the sensors and computer power of a SpaceX lab, and looks good enough to wear with an athleisure blazer and jeans. In short: buy it because you mean it. Because you don’t just run to get fit — you train to outlast, you travel to stretch limits, and you wear your gear like an Olympian. If you just want a smartwatch that’s “better than average,” then this may be overkill. But if you want the best and are willing to commit, it’s hard to beat.