It was a long wait. While Apple, Samsung and Google introduce one generation of their smartwatches per year, Garmin has a very different strategy. When the Garmin Fenix 8 series will be released has been a much-discussed topic. The company presents several models within its various lines throughout the year. The release date of the Garmin Fenix 8 was supposed to be in May 2024. Another often mentioned date was June, but in the end we only got to see the release in August. But it could have been worse, and only after the presentation of the Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 3, which Apple has planned on September 9.
Garmin Fenix Edition
We waited two and a half years for a full-fledged successor to the Garmin Fenix 7. If we consider last year’s Garmin Fenix 7 Pro model, it was a year and four months to that. At the time, this improved model was released alongside the almost identical Epix model, which, however, stood out with its AMOLED display. But Garmin will probably end this series now, as the Fenix 8 fully replaces it with its capabilities. The Fenix series is Garmin’s most popular, because of how it looks and what it can do. These are absolute universals suitable for everyone.
And when will the new watch come to market? Czech Garmin reports shipment in one to three daysother stores usually have delivery during September.
ModelRelease/PerformanceGarmin Fenix 8/E27. August 2024Garmin Fenix 7 Pro/Garmin Epix Pro31. May 2023Garmin Fenix 7/Garmin Epix18. January 2022Garmin Fenix 629 August 2019Garmin Fenix 5 Plus18. June 2018Garmin Fenix 54 January 2017Garmin Fenix 3 HR5. January 2016Garmin Fenix January 35, 2015Garmin Fenix February 220, 2014Garmin Fenix10. July 2012
Design Garmin Fenix 8
The appearance of the Garmin Fenix 8 hasn’t changed much and it still retains the clear features of the series, dominated by the bezel. It can be either steel or titanium (even with DLC), depending on which model you go for. There’s also a new sensor cover to protect the microphone and barometer. At the same time, there are many color versions and variants of straps, which can be silicone or leather, and there is also a titanium pull.
Series designation
Even now we have three sizes. But Garmin has moved away from letter designations, so there is no such thing as Garmin Fenix 8S or Garmin Fenix 8X anymore, just Garmin Fenix 8 – 43, 47 or 51 mm. The company then introduced a lightweight version called Fenix E. It has only one size, namely 47 mm. Although there are three size variants in total, there are only two display sizes.
- Height 43mm cases (AMOLED): 13.8 mm
- Height 47mm cases (AMOLED): 13.8 mm
- Height 51mm case (AMOLED): 14.7 mm
- Height 47mm cases (SOLAR): 15.2 mm
- Height 51mm cases (SOLAR): 15.4 mm
Display sizes
In the case of displays, the Garmin Fenix 8 has probably seen the biggest change. The series adopted touch AMOLED, but still retains the transreflective (MIP) for all fans of this not very pretty, but very practical, technology.
- Fenix 8 – 43 mm, AMOLED; Fenix 8 – 47 mm, SOLAR, Fenix E, AMOLED: 1,3″ displej
- Fenix 8 – 47 a 51 mm, AMOLED; Fenix 8 – 51 mm, SOLAR: 1,4″ displej
Display resolution
The 43mm version of the watch with an AMOLED display has a resolution of 416 by 416 pixels, the larger one has a resolution of 454 by 454 pixels. The 47mm version with MIP display has a resolution of 260 by 260 pixels, the 51mm version 280 by 280 pixels. Displays with MIP are also supplemented with solar charging. Unfortunately, we did not get to see the combination of AMOLED and solar.
- 43 mm AMOLED: 416 × 416 pixels
- 47 a 51 mm AMOLED: 454 × 454 pixels
- 47 mm SOLAR: 260 × 260 pixels
- 51 mm SOLAR: 280 × 280 pixels
Display glass material
Garmin kept both options, cheaper with Gorilla Glass and more expensive with sapphire glass. You will have to pay extra for the second option, but it is more durable.
Garmin Fenix 8|Garmin.com
Stamina
It is known that AMOLED has clear demands on battery life, which you will feel especially with smaller models and with the Always-On function turned on. Although MIP displays are not pretty, they have minimal battery power consumption, which is additionally recharged by the solar ring around the display itself. In particular, the 51 mm model will thus offer unrivaled durability. The values given by the manufacturer are as follows:
- 43 mm AMOLED: smart watch up to 10 days, with Always On up to 4 days, GPS up to 28 hours, GPS with Always-On up to 22 hours
- 47 mm AMOLED: smartwatch up to 16 days, with Always On up to 7 days, GPS up to 47 hours, GPS with Always-On up to 37 hours
- 51 mm AMOLED: smartwatch up to 29 days, with Always On up to 13 days, GPS up to 47 hours, GPS with Always-On up to 37 hours
- 47 mm SOLAR: smart watch up to 21 days, SOLAR mode up to 29 days, GPS up to 67 hours, GPS SOLAR up to 95 hours
- 51 mm SOLAR: smart watch up to 29 days, SOLAR mode up to 48 days, GPS up to 95 hours, GPS SOLAR up to 157 hours
Waterproof
Garmin Fenix 8 are newly certified for diving (EN13319) up to 40m. They can also measure the depth you are at. It is a different value than in the case of waterproofing, so this is really true diving, not some snorkeling. That is why the buttons are also waterproof and their pressing is detected inductively.
Garmin Fenix 8|Garmin.com
Making phone calls
With the Garmin Fenix 8 series, you can make phone calls directly from the watch, as they have a microphone and a speaker. However, they do not contain an eSIM option, which means that a smartphone must always be within reach to connect the watch to the network. iPhone owners may have a problem; it probably won’t work here due to iOS limitations.
Voice commands
The watch also understands what you tell it. Specifically, it should be commands like “start strength training“, „set the timer for 5 minutes“, „save the waypoint“. In addition, you shouldn’t even need a connected smartphone. But Garmin has not yet published more about this.
LED flashlight
An LED is also present in the new series, even in the smallest model (it is missing in the Fenix E, however). It also offers a red light or strobe mode. The flashlight is useful not only for night activities, but as previous generations have shown, also in everyday life.
Garmin Fenix 8|Garmin.com
Advanced strength training
The watch will now offer targeted 4-6 week strength training plans to help you meet your personal goals, plus sports workouts for athletes of all types including trail runners, surfers, skiers and more. We expect that older watches from the manufacturer will also receive this in the form of an update.
Other parameters and functions
The Garmin Fenix 8 watch is a comprehensive training tool. It is not the highest model of the manufacturer, nor is it the most expensive. They are universal, intended to appeal to everyone, whether they are hikers, swimmers, runners, or cyclists and golfers, although specific models of certain ranges (for example, Forerunner or Descent) have their place in the company’s offer.
The parameters used are supposed to be the best, although the company usually does not solve the chip. There is 32 GB of integrated memory for applications and music, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC and the new Elevate 5 optical sensor for EKG measurements (with the exception of Fenix E), there is also an accelerometer, gyroscope, compass.
Features include:
- Endurance score
- Prediction of results
- PacePro and Climbpro features
- Tempo with slope correction
- Training status
- Performance metrics
- Automatic transition
- Hill run score
- Recommended workouts
- Regeneration assistant
- Supplement race
- Running dynamics
- Garmin trainer
- Outdoors Maps+
- Detailed Topo maps
- … and much more
Cena
The worst in the end. You will not be pleased with the price of the Garmin Fenix 8. Forget the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra for 17,500 crowns and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for 22,990 crowns, Garmin aims for an even higher price, that is, if you are not satisfied with the truncated Fenix E model, which costs 19,990 crowns.
- Garmin Fenix E – 47 mmAMOLED: from CZK 19,990
- Garmin Fenix 8 – 43 mmAMOLED: from CZK 24,990
- Garmin Fenix 8 – 47 mmAMOLED: from CZK 24,990
- Garmin Fenix 8 – 51 mmAMOLED: from CZK 27,490
- Garmin Fenix 8 – 47 mmSOLAR: CZK 27,490
- Garmin Fenix 8 – 47 mmSOLAR: CZK 29,990
Overall model comparison
ModelDisplay sizeStaminaCena47 mm E1.3 inch up to 16 days CZK19,99043 mm AMOLED1.3 inch up to 10 days from CZK 24,99047 mm AMOLED1.4 inch up to 16 days from CZK 24,99051 mm AMOLED1.4 inch up to 29 days from CZK 27,49047 mm SOLAR1.3 inch up to 29 days from CZK 27,49051 mm SOLAR1.4 inch up to 48 days from CZK 29,990
