The Garmin Fenix 8 and Fenix 8 Solar smartwatches are now available globally, following extensive leaks that disclosed many of their specifications. Official product listings on Garmin’s website outline the main differences between the two models.
The Fenix 8 series includes options for 43mm, 47mm, and 51mm watch faces. Each watch features an AMOLED display, with the 47mm variant sporting a 1.4-inch screen with a resolution of 454 x 454 pixels, protected by Gorilla Glass or Sapphire Glass. The Fenix 8 Solar comes in 47mm and 51mm versions, with the smaller version equipped with a 1.3-inch MIP LCD displaying 260 x 260 pixels and safeguarded by Power Sapphire Glass.
In terms of dimensions, the Fenix 8 measures between 13.7mm and 14.7mm in thickness, making it slimmer than its predecessor, the 14.5-14.9 mm Fenix 7 Pro Solar. The Fenix 8 Solar is slightly thicker at 15.2mm.
Battery life for the Fenix 8 in smartwatch mode is up to 16 days, with an additional five days available through solar charging. Garmin claims the new solar technology offers 50% more efficiency compared to older models. Notable new features include targeted strength training tailored to specific sports, Garmin Share, and connectivity with QZSS and BEIDOU positioning systems.
The Fenix 8 series also incorporates a built-in speaker and microphone, enabling voice control even offline. Other advanced functionalities include support for diving activities to depths of up to 40 meters (approximately 131 feet), leakproof buttons, SatIQ Technology, a built-in LED flashlight, an ECG app, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, and 32GB of storage.
The Garmin Fenix 8 is priced between $999.99/£869.99/€999.99 and $1,199.99/£1,119.99/€1,299.99. The Fenix 8 Solar is available for $1,099.99/£949.99/€1,099.99 to $1,199.99/£1,039.99/€1,199.99.
