Over two years after the launch of the Fenix 7 Pro series, Garmin unveiled the Fenix 8 Pro line-up.
Hailed as a game-changer, the Fenix 8 Pro boasts many first-of-its-kind features but how does it compare to the Fenix 7 Pro? Are the features worth upgrading for?
We’ve compared the two mighty smartwatches below so you can see what’s really new with the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro.
Specs Table
| Garmin Fenix 8 Pro | Garmin Fenix 7 Pro | |
| Battery Life | Up to 29 days (AMOLED) | Up to 22 days (solar) |
| GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Manufacturer | Garmin | Garmin |
| Water Resistance | 10ATM | 10ATM |
| Size (Dimensions) | 47 x 47 x 16 mm or 51 x 51 x 16.5 mm | 47 x 47 x 14.5 mm or 51 x 51 x 14.9 mm |
| Weight | Up to 90g | Up to 89g |
| UK RRP | £1119.99 – £1729.99 | £579.99 – £659.99 |
| USA RRP | $1199.99 – $1999.99 | $899 – $999.99 |
Price and Availability
There’s no getting around the fact that the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro is an expensive smartwatch. Its cheapest option is the 47mm AMOLED iteration, which starts at £1119.99/$1199.99 and rises up to £1199.99/$1299.99 for the larger 51mm alternative. Or you can opt for the MicroLED version, which is only available at 51mm, and starts at £1729.99/$1999.99.
In comparison, the Fenix 7 Pro series feels much more affordable. Its smaller 47mm will set you back £579.99/$899.99 while its larger 51mm version starts at £659.99/$999.99. Having said that, as the series is around two years old, it is certainly possible to find either model at a cheaper price.
Garmin Fenix 8 Pro has a MicroLED display option
Alongside an AMOLED variation, the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro is the first smartwatch to sport a MicroLED display. Garmin explains its MicroLED display features over a whopping 400,000 individual LEDs delivering up to 4500 nits which is claimed to be “the brightest smartwatch ever”. Not only that but its display is promised to provide rich colours, wide viewing angles and “superior” readability too.
Otherwise, both the Fenix 8 Pro’s AMOLED and MicroLED displays are touchscreen and fitted with titanium bezels and an LED flashlight too.
In lieu of a MicroLED, the Fenix 7 Pro series sports a Solar display alongside its AMOLED model. The Solar display is made possible thanks to a Power Glass solar charging lens, which provides up to either 22 days, or up to 73 hours in GPS mode, of battery with three hours of direct sunlight.
Garmin Fenix 8 Pro supports InReach technology
Another first-of-its-kind feature found in the Fenix 8 Pro is the inclusion of Garmin’s InReach technology. In a nutshell, InReach technology allows users to leave their phone behind while ensuring they can still keep in touch with loved ones and contact emergency services.
With satellite connectivity, the Fenix 8 Pro allows you to send and receive text messages with those using the Garmin Messenger app either on their smartphone or Garmin smartwatch, and send location updates to loved ones too.
With cellular connectivity, the Fenix 8 Pro can also be used to make phone calls, send voice notes, share LiveTrack links and even check in on the weather when it’s connected to the LTE network.
While those tools are undoubtedly useful, perhaps the most important feature is the Fenix 8 Pro’s SOS capability. When an SOS is triggered on the smartwatch, it will send a message either over satellite or mobile network to the Garmin Response center. From here, Garmin Response will communicate with the user and their emergency contacts while sending the appropriate rescue organisations.
The AMOLED Garmin Fenix 8 Pro promises the longest battery life
It’s worth noting that although the Fenix 7 Pro doesn’t quite offer the same battery life as the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, the series is still pretty generous – especially when compared to the likes of the Apple Watch Series 11 or Apple Watch Ultra 3. While the MicroLED Fenix 8 Pro offers up to just 10 days of life, its AMOLED alternative provides up to a whopping 27 days instead.
The AMOLED Fenix 7 Pro offers up to 18 days of battery life, while its clever Solar iteration sees up to 22 days when exposed to direct sunlight.
Both run Garmin’s suite of health and fitness tracking
Both the Fenix 8 Pro and Fenix 7 Pro series are fitted with Garmin’s health and fitness tracking features, including Morning Report, the Garmin ECG app, Sleep Coach and more.
Not only that, but despite both series being undeniably rugged and durable, they can also double up as everyday smartwatches too, thanks to Garmin Pay, the built-in music play and controls too. While we’d argue it’s not quite the smartwatch experience found in the Apple Watch Series, the Fenix 8 and 7 Pro series offers a solid hybrid of the form factors.
Both are fitted with Garmin’s SatIQ technology
SatIQ is a clever GPS technology that aims to give you accurate positioning while optimising the battery life of your smartwatch. In a nutshell, SatIQ is able to determine the optimal GPS mode based on your environment, and provides either low power or a stronger multi-band mode when necessary.
Early Verdict
As we haven’t reviewed the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro series yet, we’ll hold off from giving a conclusive verdict now. However, boasting the claim of the brightest smartwatch ever and the first to include Garmin’s InReach technology, the Fenix 8 Pro MicroLED is certainly an exciting prospect.
However, such first-of-its-kind features come at a hefty price tag, so if you’d prefer a more affordable smartwatch that still offers premium features, then the Fenix 7 Pro is a better option.
