While I wouldn’t call myself a Garmin expert or even much of a wearables guy – my world still revolves around mechanical watches – they’re starting to become a staple part of my life. The Garmin Fenix 8 Pro 47mm marks my third foray into the smartwatch space, enough to know my way around Garmin’s ecosystem, even if I still prefer winding a crown to swiping a screen. I also use a Whoop, which is much easier to wear alongside a traditional watch. Over the past few years, I’ve also started doing a lot more training, something that wearables have given me immense insight and data on.
With all that in mind, I was keen to put the brand-new Fenix 8 Pro through its paces, and with the sheer number of features packed in, it’s no small task. Before getting into real world use, though, it’s worth looking at what’s new compared to the non-Pro model.
The biggest change is the new AMOLED display, brighter and more vibrant than the old MIP version and instantly noticeable. Garmin’s newer MicroLED technology is currently reserved for the 51 mm version, but personally I’d still choose the 47 mm model at this current spec. It’s more wearable and its battery life is far superior, offering up to 15 days in gesture only mode, where the screen sleeps when not in use, compared to around 10 days for the MicroLED variant. That difference also keeps Garmin well ahead of Apple, Samsung, and Google in endurance.
This is also the first Fenix to offer built in LTE (4G Connection), giving it proper standalone functionality. That means voice calls, messaging, and LiveTrack location sharing without needing your phone. Pair it with Garmin’s InReach satellite service and the watch becomes a lifeline when you are off grid. InReach lets you send and receive messages, share your location, and trigger an interactive SOS to Garmin’s 24-hour emergency response centre even with no mobile signal. Whether you are halfway up a mountain or just missed your train home from Liverpool Street, people can still reach you and you can reach them.
To house that new tech, the case has grown slightly. It’s 16mm thick and weighs 77g with the strap. Not small, but slimmer than a Rolex Deepsea, and it wears better than the numbers suggest. The polymer and titanium construction feels solid and reassuring, with a sapphire crystal over a sharp 454 by 454 pixel display that can show a huge amount of data or a more traditional watch face, and swapping faces is quick. The pushers feel slightly different to other Garmins, somewhere between a button and a pusher. I prefer a firmer click, but the haptic feedback is nicely judged and gives a premium feel.
As always with Garmin, setup is straightforward. Download the app, scan the QR code, and follow the steps. It’s so smooth it feels almost suspiciously easy. I only tested on Android, though I suspect the process is the same on Apple devices.
Given I’ve only had the watch a few days, I’ve not tested it in every scenario, but I’ve logged runs, a round of golf, and a weight session, and plan to take it swimming next. It’s rated to 100m of water resistance and, while that does not mean saturation diving, it is dive rated to 40m with profiles for scuba and apnea, as well as being equipped with a depth sensor and leak resistant metal buttons. Beyond water, the watch is tested to MIL STD 810 for thermal and shock resistance, the standard for the US military equipment.
Feature wise, it’s largely in line with the standard Fenix 8, though the Sauna tracking I have on my Epix Pro is missing. Still, if there’s a sport you want to play, the Fenix 8 Pro will track it, and the performance analytics remain top tier, especially when viewed on the app. There is now an ECG app for rhythm checks and AFib detection. Training Readiness scores and related insights are useful for judging recovery and effort, and there are targeted strength plans, adaptive suggested workouts for running and cycling, and real time stamina and endurance scores if you like to go deep on the numbers.
Navigation is another strong suit. You get preloaded TopoActive maps, SkiView, and worldwide golf course maps (4,200 of those to be precise), plus dynamic round trip routing that adjusts to get you back to your start on time. The watch supports multi-band GPS with SatIQ to balance accuracy and battery life, and there is a built-in speaker and microphone so you can take calls, use voice messaging, and interact hands free when LTE is active. QuickFit straps make swapping straps and styles pain free.
The Fenix 8 Pro is, in short, an exceptional tool. The AMOLED screen is bright and legible even in full sun, the battery life remains unmatched, and the build quality feels premium enough to sit comfortably alongside mechanical watches. If you can get past the thickness for sleep tracking, it is about as complete an active lifestyle watch as you can buy.
At £1,029, purchases made through Watcho come with a six-month Garmin INREACH subscription worth £49 and an additional orange silicone strap worth £35. For a mechanical watch devotee, the Fenix 8 Pro does not replace a good automatic, but it might just earn wrist time when performance matters more than polishing.
Price and Specs:
More details at Watcho.
