Garmin Fenix 8 smartwatch review: the best companion for an active life

At the end of summer, Garmin introduced the new Fenix 8 smartwatch. This series was an unusual step for the manufacturer, as now the Fenix line includes the combined Fenix and Epix series, with new software and hardware features. For example, the watch now has a version with an AMOLED screen, a built-in speaker and microphone, as well as additional features that make the device even smarter. Of course, the powerful sports features and protection have not gone away, so professional athletes, runners, or outdoor enthusiasts will find something to like here. But is this new product really necessary for the average user? We will talk about all this in the review below.

Technical specifications of the Garmin Fenix 8

Version	Garmin Fenix 8 47 mm AMOLED
Body/bezel	Fiber-reinforced polymer, steel back cover, steel frame
Display	1.4 inches, 454×454 dpi, AMOLED
Navigation	GPS+Beidou+Glonass+Galileo+QZSS
Connection	Bluetooth 5.2, ANT, Wi-Fi
Protection	YES, 10 ATM. Can be dived to a depth of 40 meters
Battery life	Up to 16 days (47 hours GPS)
Dimensions	47×47×14.5 mm
Weight	80 grams

Packaging and equipment

The Garmin Fenix 8 comes in a square cardboard box with a clock pattern on the case.

Inside we see the device itself, the manual, the warranty, and a short cable with a proprietary connector.

Design and materials

Garmin Fenix 8 — is a round watch with a titanium case and a steel caseback. I would call the overall design brutally futuristic, but in general, this is a familiar style of Garmin watches.

The novelty is available in three sizes: 43, 47 and 51 mm. In our case, it is the 47 mm version. Its dimensions are 47×47×14.5 mm, and it weighs 80 grams. The watch is protected from water (it can be submerged to a depth of 40 meters), scratches, drops, and shocks.

On the front panel, we see a round touchscreen, above which a non-rotating bezel protrudes. A flashlight is mounted on top of the case.

There are three buttons on the left side and two on the right. Between the latter we can see a protective strip of metal that protects the barometer and speaker placed under it.

At the bottom there is a proprietary Elevate Gen5 sensor and a physical proprietary charging port. As you can see, the charging is not only non-magnetic, but also proprietary, so take care of the bundled charging cable, otherwise you’ll have to buy another one of the same kind.

The base strap is 20 mm rubber and soft with a quick-replacement option.

Garmin Fenix 8 display

The Garmin Fenix 8 has a 1.4-inch color AMOLED touchscreen with a resolution of 454×454 dots, and the pixel density here is 324 ppi. This is also true for the 51 mm version of the watch. The 43 mm model has a 1.3-inch screen with a resolution of 416×416 pixels. Its pixel density is 320 ppi. In all cases, there is a protective sapphire crystal on top. There is an Always-On Display function.

The screen is bright, and the images are detailed and pixel-free. That is, it is very convenient to read even the smallest text here.

We didn’t forget about full support for geolocation, so we have our GPS module with support for GLONASS, Galileo, and various maps. The watch can guide the user along a GPS track, there is a compass and an altimeter, also known as an altimeter.

The Garmin Fenix 8 is also equipped with a microphone, which allows you to connect the watch to your phone, which means you can receive and answer calls. There is also a voice command function that works independently without being tied to a phone. You can also communicate through the new Garmin Messenger app.

You can use your voice to give commands such as starting a specific sports mode, timer, creating a voice memo, determining your heart rate, and more.

The new model has five sealed buttons with a spring-loaded press. «Sealed» in this case means that the buttons are not inserted into the case, but rather attached to it from above, and pressing is determined by induction. This keeps the housing as protected as possible and allows for use at great depths.

The Garmin Fenix 8 has an updated interface that is much friendlier and more understandable for users who have already owned the manufacturer’s previous models. But for the average owner of an Apple Watch or any other simpler smartwatch, it will still be something more complicated and even sometimes confusing than the interface they are used to.

Although right now, it resembles something modern as much as possible with widgets that can be scrolled with sideswipes and view detailed information on sleep, physical activity, heart rate, etc., a functional curtain. It also has a notification menu that can be opened with swipes down and up, respectively. You can also change and customize watch faces here, which is a real miracle for Garmin watches.

Connecting to smartphone and software

Garmin Fenix 8 connects to devices via the built-in Bluetooth 5.2 module and works with the proprietary Garmin Connect app.

This program has also been updated, so it has a more user-friendly interface. It’s a cross between the standard apps from all other manufacturers and the strict programs for athletes. It will be more difficult to understand than usual if Garmin Fenix 8 is your first watch from this brand. But in general, everything is more or less clear, but you still have to get used to it and crawl around to find certain functions, features, etc.

In general, Garmin Connect is a powerful application for tracking physical activity, for sports, professional training, etc. It has many settings and features, and it’s also a kind of social network for athletes, runners, and extreme sportsmen, where they can arrange certain events, share achievements, experiences, training, etc.

Health and sports functions

The Garmin Fenix 8 has many sports features and the ability to track health indicators in detail. Among them is the morning report, when immediately after waking up, the watch provides conveniently structured information about sleep quality, stress level and physical activity, etc. and at the end wishes you a good day. I really liked it.

There’s also a heart rate variability status, where the watch analyzes your heart function, assesses your stress level, and shows you how much you need to refresh during training.

We haven’t forgotten about heart rate measurement, pulse oximeter, and ECG. However, for some reason, the latter function is currently available only to users from the United States, and is actually blocked in all other regions.

We also introduced a time zone adaptation function with tips, body energy monitoring, stress tracking, fluid intake control, climate adaptation to hotter climates and altitude, and women’s health tracking.

Of course, the main features of a smart sports watch are focused on different types of activity. First and foremost, it is best suited for professional runners, but there are other types of training, including diving, high-intensity training, snowboarding and skiing, surfing, cycling, and many other activities.

There is also a convenient function of displaying exercises on the screen so that the user can repeat them and learn them at the same time. Very convenient for beginners.

Garmin Fenix 8 autonomy

Depending on the size, the Garmin Fenix 8 has slightly different battery life, but it’s still impressive. The 43 mm version of the watch lasts up to 10 days on a single charge, and with the always-on screen function active, up to 4 days. If you turn on all the systems and sensors plus GPS, then in the first case, the charge will last for 23 hours of operation, and in the second for 18 hours. There is a power saving mode in which the watch will work for up to two weeks.

The 47 mm version, which we have under review, will work on a single charge in smartwatch mode for up to 16 days, and with Always-On Display active for up to a week. If you activate all systems and sensors, it will work for 38 and 30 hours, respectively. In power saving mode, this version will last up to 23 days.

The largest 51 mm version of the watch will be discharged in 29 days in normal mode and 13 days with Always-On Display. When all sensors and systems are activated, the 51 mm model will last 68 and 54 hours, respectively, and in power-saving mode it can operate for up to 41 days.

In my case, with the 47 mm version, I managed to test the battery life in Always-On Display mode for several weeks of tests and even managed to get almost eight days. And then I charged it, turned off AOD, the watch worked the rest of the time and still had a little more than half of the charge left. That is, we can say that the stated figures are exactly true, at least in the 47 mm version.

Experience using the Garmin Fenix 8

Garmin Fenix 8 is a very cool watch, but you need to understand what you need it for. It has a ton of functions for professional runners, athletes, extreme sportsmen, and all those who are engaged in active tourism, etc.

Of course, if you have the money and just want to buy a gizmo like this for everyday use, then why not? You will not use the lion’s share of the functions, but that’s up to you. Because the watch looks cool, it’s protected, it’s not scary to swim, run, and just live and get into different situations in which it will show its best side.

Moreover, the Garmin Fenix 8 is the most pleasant and easiest to use among all the manufacturer’s models for an ordinary person who does not do much sports and has not worn something massive before. Yes, the interface is a bit more complicated, as is the app, but in general, everything is more or less familiar.

But most people still need to be sure that they need it and nothing else. This is definitely one of the best options for people who already have previous Garmin models, or are thinking of switching to a brand-new device from another, so to speak, pop manufacturer.

Overall, I really liked the Garmin Fenix 8, but I’m not its target audience at all. I do simple strength exercises five times a week, so any smartwatch will do for me. But I like its style and design, I like the features it provides that can be used when needed, I like the flashlight and the strap. Although in the latter case, in my opinion, the nylon version of the strap looks cooler with this watch, which you need to buy separately.

Price and competitors

Garmin Fenix 8 is sold at a price from UAH 39,499 for the 43 mm version. Yes, it is expensive, but there are very few competitors. Therefore, in my opinion, it is definitely an adequate price for its target audience and for the segment.

You can immediately pay attention to previous Garmin models. For example, Garmin Forerunner 965 with a price tag of UAH 23,699, Garmin Instinct 2X Solar (price from UAH 15,800), Garmin Enduro 3 with a price from 36 300 orGarmin Fenix 7 Pro (price from UAH 25,200). And there are alsoApple Watch Ultra 2 with a price starting at UAH 25,800.

It is also worth paying attention to a kind of competitor of the Garmin brand — the Finnish company Suunto. They have popular models Suunto Vertical (price from UAH 21,158) andSuunto Race with a price tag of UAH 17,350.