What Fenix 8 variant is right for you?
If you’re familiar with the Fenix 7 lineup, which includes confusing Pro, S, S Pro, X, and X Pro models, you’re likely to immediately notice that every member of the new Garmin Fenix 8 family is called simply Fenix 8.
Even with AMOLED, however, the Fenix 8 is capable of surviving for up to a mind-blowing 29 days between charges in a 51mm size while promising up to 10 and 16 days of battery life with 43 and 47mm cases respectively. As you can imagine, the Fenix 8 Solar takes those numbers even higher, claiming to keep the lights on for as many as 28 days and 48 days (!!!) in 47 and 51mm sizes respectively.
Speaking of surviving, the Fenix 8 series unsurprisingly shines when it comes to its build quality as well, with not just a titanium bezel like we know what Garmin rivals, but a scratch-resistant sapphire lens, “leakproof” buttons, a metal sensor guard cover, and all the necessary certifications to guarantee top-notch thermal, shock, and water protection as well.
In addition to your everyday runs, hikes, swimming sessions, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and other “routine” (indoor and outdoor) workouts, the Fenix 8 can also keep up with your “recreational” diving, which is yet another key upgrade over the already feature-packed Fenix 7 family.
There’s even ECG monitoring technology out the box, as well as a built-in speaker, microphone, and LED flashlight for an extra touch of versatility. The all-new AMOLED display comes with an excellent resolution of up to 454 x 454 pixels and an optional always-on mode (that will of course drain your battery much faster), and in terms of US availability, your waiting times will greatly differ depending on your final model choice.
The 47mm Fenix 8 AMOLED, for instance, is available to ship in just one to three business days at the time of this writing from Garmin’s official e-store, while Fenix 8 Solar variants will keep you waiting anywhere between five and eight weeks… if you order one right away.
Wait, what about the Garmin Fenix E?
The Fenix E is a battery life champion with a beautiful screen. | Image Credit — Garmin
That sounds like a lot of compromises for a reduced expense of $200 or $300, but the Garmin Fenix E does come with a large 47mm case (and only a 47mm case), high-quality AMOLED display, military-grade resistance to shocks, extreme temperatures, and water immersion, and perhaps most importantly, a stellar battery life rating of its own of up to 16 days.
That’s something Apple and Samsung are unlikely to come close to achieving anytime soon as far as their AMOLED-sporting rugged smartwatches are concerned, so if you can’t afford any of the aforementioned Fenix 8 models, you might as well order the Fenix E today and (hope to) receive it in three or four weeks.