The Garmin Fenix 8 features an all-new AMOLED display for selected models. (Image: Garmin)
Garmin has announced the fenix 8 series of smartwatches, the 2024 refresh of its fenix line. One of the company's more premium offerings, the fenix 8 brings some upgrades compared to its predecessor, the fenix 7 and fenix 7 Pro, with the aim of being an all-rounder for every kind of sportsman.
Chief among these upgrades are the new AMOLED models. Although AMOLED has been seen on Garmin watches before, like the epix Pro and golfer-targeted Approach S70, they are a first for the fenix lineup, replacing the memory-in-pixel (MIP) displays seen on previous watches.
Coming in at a pixel density of around 450ppi, they are available in 43mm, 47mm and 51mm sizes. Though battery life on the former two take a hit, with the 47mm model seeing a two-day reduction in battery life compared to its fenix 7 and 7 Pro counterpart, Garmin touts the 51mm model as having up to 29 days of battery life on smartwatch mode.
The Fenix 8 AMOLED in Slate Gray Black. (Image: Garmin)
But if it's longevity you're looking for, you can opt for the solar models of the fenix 8, featuring solar-charging lens in 47mm and 51mm sizes. Though not a new technology for Garmin, the company touts up to 48 days of battery life for the 51mm variant, compared to the 37 days for the solar fenix 7 watches of equivalent size.
Note, though, that the solar models still use an MIP display; there is no model that has both AMOLED and solar charging, and potential buyers have to pick either feature.
Aside from that, the similarities that both the AMOLED and solar models share are the inclusion of an internal microphone and speaker, a built-in LED flashlight (also seen on the fenix 7) and a 40-metre dive-rated case.
The LED Flashlight as seen on the Fenix 8 Solar with an Amp Yellow band. (Image Source: Garmin)
But perhaps what sets the fenix 8 apart is its multisports appeal, as the watches come with a whole slew of preloaded activity profiles.
Expected ones like running, hiking and watersport profiles are present, but new to the fenix 8 are martial arts, strength training and diving profiles, the latter helped by a new depth sensor (again up to 40 metres), and support for syncing with the Garmin Dive app.
Joining these are various personalisation features, including a training readiness score based on past sleep and training session data, daily suggested workouts and health and welfare monitors. Holdovers from the fenix 7 like stress, sleep and daily resting heart rate monitoring are present, along with the new jet lag adviser and nap detection.
Finally, to tackle smartwatch fundamentals, the fenix 8 includes 32GB of storage for all models, support for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, text response and call rejection for Android, as well as Garmin's SatIQ technology, which selects the optimal GPS mode based on your environment.
Pricing and Availability
Just to get it out of the way, the fenix 8 is not cheap. To get all of the above and more, you would have to shell out S$1,529 just for the 43mm fenix 8 AMOLED, which is almost S$200 more than the starting price of the fenix 7 Pro at launch. The fenix 8 Solar models start at S$1,679 for the 47mm model.
You can get the fenix 8 on Garmin's online store or at physical Garmin Brand Stores, with plans for availability on Garmin's Lazada and Shopee storefronts.
Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.