At the end of the summer holidays, Garmin released a new line of its flagship smartwatch, the Fénix 8. They are available in several designs, both with a display OLEDso with the good old one MIP. The latter is still key for fans of the brand and those for whom watches (including smart watches) are primarily devices that should last at least several weeks on a single charge.
What the new smartwatch Garmin Fénix 8 Solar (Sapphire 51 mm) can do:
We are already playing with the new Eights in the editorial offices, and since I myself am the owner of the now aging Fénix 7X Solar Sapphire model with photovoltaic charging (correctly: with discharge retarder), I put their direct successor on my wrist for a few days Fenix 8 – 51mm Solar Sapphire (Garmin stopped using the letter X for the largest and heaviest variant).
They say up to a month on the battery with smart features
Of course, during that less than a week, I didn’t have enough time to discharge the watch, although I recorded every day at least one hour of sports activity with GNSS reception enabled (GPS, Galileo and others). Therefore, I will not put my hand in the fire for the promised up to a month’s endurance, but at least I was able to try other technological innovations of the new generation of phoenixes.
I wrote a monitoring application for endurance testing purposes. I will update the chart in a few days
What does Fénix 8 have in addition to 7X Pro and 7X:
- Voice control
- Voice assistant control in mobile
- Phone calls (eSIM is missing, but the phone must be within range)
- Playing music directly from the watch speaker
- At the same time, thanks to the speaker, better sounding of notifications
- Voice memos/simple voice recorder
- Support for diving with a sensor up to 40 meters
- New GNSS receiver in addition with support for QZSS and Beidou constellations
Table: Comparison of basic parameters with previous models. Difference in bold
51×51×15,4
51×51×14,9
51×51×14,9
95/67
89/61
89/61
35,56 (1,4″)
35,56 (1,4″)
35,56 (1,4″)
280×280
280×280
280×280
32
32
32
30/48
28/37
28/37
48/107
90/365+
90/365+
Elevate 5
Elevate 5
Elevate 4 (* Elevate 5th generation brings measurement supportEKG this feature is still only available in a few markets after a year, and the Fenix 8 hasn’t changed that.The EU is still missing
although blocking can be bypassed relatively easily and the function can be activated using a fake location on the mobile phone)
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Well, hello there! Pull up a chair, grab your fancy new Garmin Fénix 8, and let’s dive right into this techy wonderland, shall we?
Garmin’s Fénix 8: A Watch That Really Goes the Distance?
So, Garmin has released its latest flagship smartwatch, the Fénix 8, and I must say, it’s more packed with features than an overstuffed suitcase at an overpriced hotel! But before we all start shouting “preorder!” let’s peel back the layers of this onion—or should I say, smartwatch.
The Same, but Different?
Now, let’s talk design. The Fénix 8 comes in two display flavors: the vibrant OLED and the rugged MIP. MIP—like me at a buffet—is all about longevity. "I want to last for weeks on a single charge!" it cries, whereas OLED is more, "Look at me! I’m fancy!" The good old MIP certainly has a fan club that probably meets every Wednesday over low-fat protein shakes.
And for those who’ve been counting the days since the Fénix 7X debuted, Garmin has stopped using that confusing ‘X’ designation for its largest models. I mean, who wants to remember the Roman numeral equivalent of ‘bigger’? Let’s keep it simple, shall we?
Battery Life: A Month? Maybe, If You’re Not Moving!
Now, mention battery life and every smartwatch enthusiast perks up ears like a dog hearing the treat jar open. Garmin claims that this baby can go for a whole month with smart features on. A MONTH! Now, I don’t know about you, but I haven’t even found a pair of socks that can last a month in the wash without going AWOL. Of course, our author—who presumably is feeling rather cocky with their “less than a week of testing”—didn’t quite reach that month-long endurance feat. But hey, they took it for a spin with some sports activity. Let’s just say if you’re keen on testing that battery life, you might want to consider a sedentary lifestyle. I mean, who needs cardio when you’ve got gadgetry?
Voice Control: Talk to Your Watch!
And now, for the pièce de résistance—voice control! Yes, folks, you can now have full conversations with your wrist. That’s right, enough to make your friends wonder if you’ve finally lost it—talking to inanimate objects like a tech-savvy psychopath! “Hey, watch! What time is it?” But let’s be honest, when the excitement of telling your smartwatch to play “Eye of the Tiger” wears off, you’ll still be looking down at it in bewilderment like it’s your teenage child—you know, confused and slightly disappointed.
Sporty Spice Features!
But this isn’t just any watch; it has features that’d make Olympians weep with envy. It’s got music playback, voice memos, and diving support. Yes, diving! Just imagine: diving underwater, catching fish while listening to your favorite tunes. “Under the Sea” has never been so literal! And the added bonus? A shiny new GNSS receiver that plays nice with QZSS and Beidou. That’s right, now we have even more GPS constellations to get lost in!
Comparative Excellence or Just Sneaky Marketing?
The article even compares the specs with its predecessors. Spoiler alert: it’s heavier, has a new heart rate sensor, and a few extra grams that you’ll pretend aren’t noticeable because, "It’s a feature!" Is it all truly a game changer, or is Garmin just playing a clever game of ‘Spot the Difference’? Hmmm, it certainly feels like a marketing ploy designed to make you feel better for shelling out a small fortune for a new gadget that’s only slightly different from the last.
Overall, the Garmin Fénix 8 seems like yet another high-tech marvel that makes it tempting for anyone who cares about their outdoor adventures… or the fashion statement of conversing with their wrist watch. Who knew timekeeping could be this high-tech and whimsy filled!
So, whether you’re an endurance athlete or just someone who clicks “Start” when you walk to the fridge, the Fénix 8 might just be the right (and slightly fancy) gadget for you! Just remember: with great features, comes great responsibility… and a few raised eyebrows from friends wondering why you’re always shouting at your wrist!
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a smart watch that lasts longer than a relationship formed in high school, and you’ve got the money to burn, Garmin’s Fénix 8 awaits. And as for the rest of us? We’ll just have to settle for talking to our phones, because remember: your phone can be your best friend, but at least it can’t swim!
And if all else fails, just take that old Fénix 7, strap it on, and let the shiny new tech raise your blood pressure while you figure out how many sports activities you can pretend to engage in without actually moving. Cheers!
