Garmin has launched the Fenix 8, with AMOLED displays, built in speaker and voice assistant, and a new dive-rated design.
Garmin has officially pulled back the curtain on the Fenix 8 series, with the outdoor range incorporating AMOLED displays alongside memory-in-pixel/solar designs for the first time.
It’s a consolidation of the Fenix and Epix line – the only separation previously being the display type – with Garmin also using this generation to usher in a built-in speaker/microphone and a few more ruggedized durability specs.
That means there’s no room (or need) for an Epix 3, but we have seen an update to Garmin’s ultra-focused watch in the Enduro 3 (more on that below).
The built-in speaker/microphone allows for a new set of phone-free voice commands for users, such as asking for timers, or the start of a workout type – as well as out-loud, in-tracking readouts previously only available if you paired a set of headphones.
The addition of AMOLED editions ensures there are now five base editions of the Fenix 8 – a slightly enlarged 43mm (up from 42mm in previous generations), 47mm, and 51mm variations of the more colorful screen type, with 47mm and 51mm models of the memory-in-pixel (MIP)/solar charging also available.
No matter which you choose, you’ll receive improved durability from the Fenix 7 Pro/Epix Pro (Gen 2) models; buttons are now all leakproof, the case is dive-rated to 40m, and a sensor guard adds further protection.
There is also a smattering of exclusive additions: guided strength training programs designed to improve performance for the likes of trail runners and skiers, improved terrain contours for TopoActive maps, and dynamic round-trip routing. It’s unclear at this stage if or when these will roll back to previous watches.
Pricing begins at $999.99 for the non-sapphire AMOLED 43mm/47mm models, stretching to $1,199 for the premium 51mm AMOLED variants, with the typical upgrades still offered for titanium cases, that scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass, and the many case sizes and display options.
Enduro 3 stakes claim as battery life champion
It’s a similarly modest upgrade for the endurance-focused cousin of the Fenix 8, the $899.99 Enduro 3.
Battery life is still the major selling point here, and Garmin has done a good job of boosting estimates for this latest generation. It suggests a larger, more efficient solar lens has doubled solar charging times from the Enduro 2, resulting in a whopping 90 days of life achievable in smartwatch mode.
Alternatively, 320 hours is the maximum you can eke out in basic GPS tracking, with SatIQ (the automatic GNSS toggling mode) achieving more accurate positioning for up to 120 hours.
In the design, you’ll find more of the same, and the Enduro 3 features a built-in flashlight, titanium case, sapphire lens, and nylon band as standard. It’s a package that weighs just 63g.
Plus, as you would expect, those software additions – including the mapping and navigation upgrades – are all in tow, too.
We’re currently testing out both the Enduro 3 and Fenix 8 range, so stay tuned for our in-depth reviews over the coming weeks.
