Garmin’s latest Fenix 8 AMOLED smartwatches, launched to much anticipation, are facing a chilly reception from users who have encountered issues when their devices come in contact with cold water. Active discussions on forums and Reddit have revealed that the smartwatches are shutting down or restarting during activities involving cold water, such as ice baths or swimming.
This particular issue seems to specifically affect the Fenix 8 AMOLED models in the 47mm and 51mm sizes, while the MIP Solar versions appear to be functioning just fine. Users have reported these problems occurring in water temperatures ranging from 6°C to 13°C (43°F to 55°F). According to Garmin’s user manual, the smartwatch is designed to operate underwater in temperatures between 0°C and 40°C (32°F to 104°F). Additionally, the Fenix 8 is marketed as dive-certified for depths up to 40 meters (approximately 131 feet), where cold temperatures are certainly expected.
The root cause of this glitch remains uncertain. Some users who have reached out to Garmin were informed that it could be a software issue, yet others have heard it might be a hardware problem. Despite these reports, Garmin has not officially addressed or confirmed the existence of this issue, leaving affected customers without a clear solution for now.
If you’re experiencing similar problems with your Fenix 8 smartwatch, it’s recommended to contact Garmin Support for assistance. Your proactive steps could also contribute to a quicker resolution, as the company continues to investigate the situation.
