Garmin released Fenix 8 in August 2024. It succeeds Fenix 7 smartwatch. We look at a quick comparison between Fenix 8 and Fenix 7 below. For the sake of comparison, we have picked the Fenix 7 Standard Edition and Fenix 8 43 mm edition.
Main differences
The main differences between Garmin Fenix 8 and Fenix 7 are enumerated in brief below.
Size
Fenix 7 standard edition comes in 47 mm size. Fenix 8 has been released in 43 mm, 47 mm and 51 mm sizes.
Display type
Fenix 7 uses transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) display technology. Garmin Fenix 8 has AMOLED display. This improves display brightness on a Fenix 8. The display resolution of Fenix 8 is much better than the display resolution of Fenix 7.
The display resolution of Fenix 8 is 416 x 416 pixels. The display resolution of Fenix 7 is 260 x 260 pixels.
Garmin ECG
Fenix 8 is compatible with the Garmin ECG app. The Fenix 7 Standard Edition did not support the Garmin ECG app.
The Garmin ECG app allows you to take and analyze ECG or Electrocardiogram readings taken at any point of time. The ECG app helps in uncovering abnormal heart rhythm issues and may help in detecting Atrial Fibrillation. However, we do suggest that you talk to your medic before relying on any ECG reading generated off any smartwatch.
GPS
Fenix 8 has support for the multi-band GPS. Fenix 7 is not compatible with multi-band GPS or dual-frequency GPS.
The multi-band GPS allows you to fetch GPS coordinates or data from multiple satellites at any given point in time. It is very useful in improving accuracy and reliability of the GPS data in geographies with poor or weak GPS connectivity.
The multi-band GPS connectivity is essential for training, athletes and serious runners.
Fenix 8 also includes GPS support for QZSS and BeiDou GPS satellite systems. This is in addition to the GPS, GLONASS and Galileo support. Fenix 7 only supports GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo GPS satellite systems.
Speaker/Microphone
Fenix 8 has an integrated speaker and microphone. This allows the user to make or answer calls directly from the smartwatch. Fenix 7 lacks an onboard speaker or mic.
Bluetooth calling is also available in Fenix 8.
Storage
Fenix 8 has 32 GB storage and Fenix 7 (Standard edition) has 16 GB storage. The additional storage can be used for storing:
- Additional topo or geographic maps
- Additional music files
Sensors
Fenix 8 has added sensors for the BeiDou and QZSS GPS systems. BeiDou is the Chinese GPS satellite system. QZSS is the Japanese satellite system. For users in China and Japan, the Fenix 8 GPS system will offer better GPS connectivity and higher GPS accuracy.
Additionally, Fenix 8 series watches have the SatIQ sensor to manage battery usage on the multi-band mode. The Fenix 8 also comes with a ‘Dive Sensor’ to measure dive data to a depth of 40 meters.
Summary
From what we have stated above, one can conclude that the Fenix 8 has the following incremental features or capabilities over the Fenix 7:
- AMOLED display
- Garmin ECG app
- Multi-band GPS
- GPS connectivity sensors for BeiDou and QZSS systems for China and Japan regions respectively