ActiveFitness TrackersGarmin Fenix 8 vs Fenix 7: Worth the upgrade?With a sharp AMOLED display, diving capabilities and a mic for taking calls on the fly, the Fenix 8 is a powerful smartwatch. But how does it stack up against the Fenix 7 it replaces?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ActiveFitness TrackersGarmin Fenix 8 vs Fenix 7: Worth the upgrade?With a sharp AMOLED display, diving capabilities and a mic for taking calls on the fly, the Fenix 8 is a powerful smartwatch. But how does it stack up against the Fenix 7 it replaces?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
With a sharp AMOLED display, diving capabilities and a mic for taking calls on the fly, the Fenix 8 is a powerful smartwatch. But how does it stack up against the Fenix 7 it replaces?
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Jump to category:Price and availabilityDesign and build qualityFeaturesBattery lifeVerdict
Jump to category:Price and availabilityDesign and build qualityFeaturesBattery lifeVerdict
In today’s fast-paced world of tech, the once mightyGarmin Fenix 7is now considered old hat, at least sinceGarminlaunched an all-new model with plenty of enticing features designed to tempt owners to upgrade and newcomers of the brand to part with serious sums of cash.
As a gentle reminder, the Fenix has long been one of thebest outdoor watchesand has stood as one of the most premium models in the brand’s extensive smartwatch lineup. Designed to accompany folk on long, arduous adventures while offering serious GPS-based navigational assistance, Fenixsmartwatchescan track every conceivable performance metric along the way.
Whether you are a fan of water sports, diving in ghostly chasms, or exploring the world’s tallest peaks, the Fenix has been designed to excel in all environments. Plus, the classic, almost horological take on the bezel design means it also doesn’t look out of place at a swanky evening function.
Despite launching aGarmin Fenix 7 Promodel in May 2023, the brand has seen fit to pinch elects from its wider smartwatch range and shoehorn them into the latestGarmin Fenix 8, which includes a crisp AMOLED display, the latest sensor suite, and a host of new design touches.
Garmin Fenix 8 versus Garmin Fenix 7
Price and availability
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro sporting the physical flashlight(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro sporting the physical flashlight
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro sporting the physical flashlight
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The Fenix lineup has always been one of the most difficult to navigate, with seemingly endless bezel sizes, displays, solar options, and Pro models that represent the latest in Garmin’s technological advancements.
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For example, the Fenix 7 was eventually offered in Standard, Solar, Sapphire Solar, Pro Solar and Pro Sapphire Solar guises. Depending on the model, these could then be optioned with either a 42mm, 47mm or 51mm bezel.
Head to theGarmin UK,Garmin USorGarmin AU, and it’s a mixed bag whether you can actually buy the smallest, 42mm Fenix 7S Standard model anymore.
It’s still available in the US priced at $649.99, while the likes of Decathlon in the UK stock it for £385.99, whileAmazonAU has it for AU$655.83 - a bargain whichever way you cut it.
Solar and Sapphire Solar models are also missing from both the UK and Australian websites, with only Garmin US still stocking the 47mm Sapphire Solar for $799.99.
Step up to Pro Solar, which introduces solar charging and a new heart rate sensor on the back, and it becomes a lot easier to find one atGarmin UK,Garmin USandGarmin AU. These cost £739.99/$799.99/AU$1,349 respectively.
The range-topping Pro Sapphire Solar, with the hardier sapphire crystal lens, costs £899.99/ $899.99/ AU$1,699, but there are a number of outlets, including Curry’s, Argos and Decathlon that sell the Fenix 7 for cheap.
Navigating the Fenix 8 model line-up is slightly easier, purely because there is slightly less choice… for now. SeeGarmin UK,Garmin USandGarmin AUfor reference.
Prices start at £949.99/ $999.99/ AU$1,699 for the 43mm bezel, AMOLED display model. There is also the choice of a 47mm AMOLED model, costing £949.99/ $1,099.99/ AU$2,199.
If you have extra large wrists and require the largest 51mm bezel AMOLED version, you will have to stump up £1,199.99/$1,199.99/AU$2,199.
If battery life is your main concern, it’s worth checking out the Fenix 8 Solar, which comes in either the 47mm bezel size, which costs £1,039.99/ $1,099.99/ AU$1,849, or the larger 51mm option at £1,039.99/ $1,199.99/ AU$2,049.99.
Today’s best Garmin Fenix 7 and Fenix 8 dealsGarmin Fenix 7S$189.99ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar$799.99$697.27ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 8$1,109.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Garmin Fenix 7 and Fenix 8 dealsGarmin Fenix 7S$189.99ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar$799.99$697.27ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 8$1,109.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Garmin Fenix 7 and Fenix 8 dealsGarmin Fenix 7S$189.99ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar$799.99$697.27ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 8$1,109.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Garmin Fenix 7 and Fenix 8 deals
Garmin Fenix 7S$189.99ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar$799.99$697.27ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 8$1,109.99ViewSee all prices
Garmin Fenix 7S$189.99ViewSee all prices
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Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar$799.99$697.27ViewSee all prices
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Garmin Fenix 8$1,109.99ViewSee all prices
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Design and build quality
The Garmin Fenix 8 ditches the mechanical buttons(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The Garmin Fenix 8 ditches the mechanical buttons
The Garmin Fenix 8 ditches the mechanical buttons
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Both the Fenix 7 and Fenix 8 are marketed as rugged outdoors smartwatches, so both are built to handle extreme environments. Having rigorously tested both models, we can honestly say that they among the toughest and longest-lasting fitness watches out there.
The Fenix 8 ushers in a few new touches that apparently add to its performance out in the field, including an additional sensor guard that now covers some of the vitals at the side of the watch. How much difference this makes, we can’t really say. But it looks cool.
In addition to this, Garmin has moved away from mechanical buttons in the latest iteration of Fenix, which also brings with it the ability to offer proper diving features. Although both have an official water rating of 10ATM, the Fenix 8 is certified for depths of up to 40m.
This is thanks to those buttons and the lack of mechanical connection, as the leakproof inductive technology means the company could do away with seals and O-rings that can potentially fail and allow water to seep in.
The other pretty obvious difference is the introduction of a super crisp and equally bright AMOLED touchscreen on the Fenix 8, which is so much clearer and easier on the eye than the memory-in-pixel display Garmin has relied on for so long.
With the new display comes a revised user interface, which will look broadly similar to those already deeply embedded in the Garmin ecosystem, but it is altogether more graphical in its approach. The animations are smoother, and the overall visual results are more in line with something like theApple Watch Ultra 2than previous generations.
However, for those who use their watches for serious endurance endeavours or timing triathlons and whatnot, having a super crisp modern display isn’t a dealbreaker, and the one found on the Fenix 7 is perfectly good enough.
For those who really want to go the distance, the Fenix 7 Solar can still hold its own. But more on battery life later.
Features
Garmin Fenix: adventure ready(Image credit: Garmin)
Garmin Fenix: adventure ready
Garmin Fenix: adventure ready
(Image credit: Garmin)
Hopefully, you are fairly well versed in what the Garmin Fenix lineup offers in terms of features because the list requires a mammoth article of its own.
If we are to directly compare the previous generation with the Fenix 8, it’s wise to mention that non-Pro versions of the Fenix 7 feature Garmin’s previous generation heart rate sensor. It’s just not as accurate or quick to react to changes in heart rate as the latest generation, found in 7 Pro and the latest Fenix 8 model.
Similarly, the Fenix 8 utilises a multi-band GNSS chipset, which significantly enhances its performance in tracking location, even in challenging environments like dense forests or urban areas with tall buildings.
The maps are also much easier to interact with thanks to that crystal clear AMOLED, not to mention the fact they simply look a lot better. This new GPS chipset also means it locks on to satellites much faster than previous generations ever could.
Alongside the previously mentioned AMOLED display, the diving features and the additional protection around the sensors, Garmin has also ushered in a microphone and speaker array that allows users to connect to a smartphone and make calls off the wrist.
It also allows more smartphone interaction than other Garmin models on sale, includingApple Watchusers. A Phone Assistant function allows you to interact with your favoured smart assistant, while a Voice Command option can be used to instruct the watch to perform actions.
Battery life
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The entry-level Fenix 7 isn’t quite as impressive, as that can run for 11 days in smartwatch mode, but seeing as the Pro Solar models are currently so cheap, it is probably fairer to compare these models, which can run for 14 days with sunlight.
That said, the latest Fenix 8 Solar blows everything out of the water with its 48 days of runtime in smartwatch mode, provided you have enough sunlight to keep it topped up.
Perhaps more importantly, we should look at the “All Satellite Systems + Music” battery life figure, which gives a good indication of the absolute worst-case scenario. With regards to the Fenix 8, that figure is 18 hours, but with the Fenix 7 Pro Solar, that figure drops to just 7 hours.
Verdict
The Fenix 8 is a unique case, in so much as it borrows so many elements from other watches in the Garmin stable. The fact it sports the AMOLED display effectively makes theGarmin Epix Gen 2redundant now.
In this respect, it now sits at the top of the pile among some of thebest Garmin watcheson sale and, thanks to this, sports an equally eye-watering price tag to suit. It is clearly better than the Fenix 7 it replaces, but is it really worth the extra money?
If you consider the savings available on the previous generation, the improved screen clarity, faster GPS performance, and increased battery don’t really seem enough to justify the massive additional outlay. You can almost buy two Fenix 7 Pro Solar models for what a new Fenix 8 Solar costs.
So, if you already own the Fenix 7 and you are happy with it, keep it on the wrist. There’s no need to dash out and spend more of your hard-earned cash. But if you are looking for a brand new model, we highly recommend the Fenix 8.
However, and this is abighowever. If you really want the best battery life in the game and you’re ok with a MIP display, it’s worth looking at the latestGarmin Enduro 3. It is cheaper, lighter and more ready to go the distance than the Fenix 8 while still packing most of the latest features.
You can say a lot about Garmin, but you can’t accuse the brand of not offering enough choice.
Today’s best Garmin Fenix 7 and Fenix 8 dealsGarmin Fenix 7S$189.99ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar$650ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar$649.99ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7S Pro Solar$778.08ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar$679ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7S Sapphire Solar$899.99ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar$1,009.99$759.99ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 8$1,109.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Garmin Fenix 7 and Fenix 8 dealsGarmin Fenix 7S$189.99ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar$650ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar$649.99ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7S Pro Solar$778.08ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar$679ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7S Sapphire Solar$899.99ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar$1,009.99$759.99ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 8$1,109.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Garmin Fenix 7 and Fenix 8 dealsGarmin Fenix 7S$189.99ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar$650ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar$649.99ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7S Pro Solar$778.08ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar$679ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7S Sapphire Solar$899.99ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar$1,009.99$759.99ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 8$1,109.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Garmin Fenix 7 and Fenix 8 deals
Garmin Fenix 7S$189.99ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar$650ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar$649.99ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7S Pro Solar$778.08ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar$679ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7S Sapphire Solar$899.99ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar$1,009.99$759.99ViewSee all pricesGarmin Fenix 8$1,109.99ViewSee all prices
Garmin Fenix 7S$189.99ViewSee all prices
Garmin Fenix 7S$189.99ViewSee all prices
Garmin Fenix 7S
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Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar$650ViewSee all prices
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar$650ViewSee all prices
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Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar
$650View
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$650
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Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar$649.99ViewSee all prices
Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar$649.99ViewSee all prices
Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar
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Garmin Fenix 7S Pro Solar$778.08ViewSee all prices
Garmin Fenix 7S Pro Solar$778.08ViewSee all prices
Garmin Fenix 7S Pro Solar
Garmin Fenix 7S Pro Solar
$778.08View
$778.08
$778.08
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Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar$679ViewSee all prices
Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar$679ViewSee all prices
Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar
Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar
$679View
$679
$679
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Garmin Fenix 7S Sapphire Solar$899.99ViewSee all prices
Garmin Fenix 7S Sapphire Solar$899.99ViewSee all prices
Garmin Fenix 7S Sapphire Solar
Garmin Fenix 7S Sapphire Solar
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Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar$1,009.99$759.99ViewSee all prices
Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar$1,009.99$759.99ViewSee all prices
Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar
Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar
$1,009.99$759.99View
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Garmin Fenix 8$1,109.99ViewSee all prices
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