Garmin Approach S70 vs Fenix 8 - Find the Perfect Golf GPS Watch

Garmin Approach S70 vs Fenix 8 represent two flagship directions from Garmin, each catering to different sports needs. The S70 is dedicated to golf, featuring a 1.4-inch AMOLED display, over 43,000 preloaded golf course maps, and “Plays-Like” distance calculations to help golfers achieve more precise shot distance judgment. With its clean, intuitive interface and industry-leading golf data, it stands out as the professional choice for golf enthusiasts.

In contrast, the Garmin Fenix 8 takes the all-around outdoor approach, supporting over a hundred sports modes and offering features like solar charging, diving capability, offline maps, and voice calling. It is designed to handle a variety of scenarios, from mountaineering and trail running to triathlons. This article will be based on real-world testing and official specifications, providing an in-depth comparison of both watches in terms of functionality, battery life, durability, display quality, and smart features- selecting a winner in each category to help you find the highest-value option for your needs.

Also read other latest articles in our website about Garmin fenix 8:

Garmin Forerunner 570 vs 970 vs fenix 8

Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Garmin Fenix 8

Garmin Fenix 8 vs Garmin Instinct 3

Garmin Forerunner 970 vs Fenix 8

Garmin Approach S70 vs Fenix 8 - Design and Interaction

In terms of materials and durability, both the Garmin Approach S70 and Fenix 8 feature a titanium case with a sapphire lens, passing military-grade certification for excellent scratch resistance and extreme-environment reliability. Their golf course maps are equally sharp and detailed, showing a clear improvement over previous models.

The main differences in the Garmin S62 vs S70 comparison lie in appearance, sizing, and interaction details. The S70 comes in 43mm and 47mm circular dials, prioritizing touch operation with only three side buttons, and offers more visual customization in its golf interface - such as arrow icons and graphic-based shot statistics - for a more intuitive user experience.

The Fenix 8 is available in 43mm, 47mm, and 51mm sizes, with a shape closer to square, a higher screen-to-body ratio, and a five-button layout upgraded to water-resistant, sensor-based controls. It supports both touch and physical operations, making it adaptable to a wide range of outdoor activities. The S70 has a sleek, stylish design suitable for everyday wear and the golf course, while the Fenix 8 has a rugged look geared toward long outdoor expeditions and extreme sports. You can also check Garmin Approach and Fenix accessories such as Garmin Approach Watch Bands and Garmin Fenix Watch Bands including Garmin Fenix 8 47mm Watch Bands.

Winner: Approach S70

Reason: In golf scenarios, the S70’s touch-optimized, visually enhanced interface delivers a more intuitive and efficient interaction.

Garmin Approach S70 vs Fenix 8 - Display

Both the Garmin Approach S70 and Fenix 8 feature vibrant, high-contrast AMOLED displays that deliver fine image quality and smooth interaction, while remaining clearly visible even under bright sunlight in high-brightness mode. Both watches support touchscreen operation, making map navigation and function switching more intuitive.

In terms of display configuration, the S70 offers two circular AMOLED options - 43mm (1.2″, 390×390) and 47mm (1.4'', 425×425) - with visuals particularly well-suited for golf course map zooming and detailed terrain rendering. The Fenix 8 comes in more sizes: 43mm (1.3″), 47mm, and 51mm (1.4″, 454×454). In addition to the high-brightness AMOLED version, it also offers a Solar (MIP) power-saving variant, ideal for ultra-long battery life and extreme outdoor conditions. The Fenix 8’s AMOLED models have a higher resolution, catering to users who need detailed maps and rich interfaces for diverse scenarios.

Winner: Fenix 8

Reason: Offers a wider range of sizes, resolutions, and display types, meeting demands for both top-tier visual quality and extreme outdoor endurance.

Garmin Approach S70 vs Fenix 8 - Golf Features

In terms of golf functionality, the Garmin Fenix 8 incorporates almost all the core features of the Approach S70, including the enhanced PlaysLike distances (which factor in slope, air density, wind, and more), built-in shot tracking, Virtual Caddie, wind speed and direction display, PinPointer flag targeting, front/middle/back green distances, course maps, Touch Targeting distance measurement, automatic scoring, and handicap calculation. Both watches come preloaded with over 43,000 global golf course maps and support Garmin CT10 sensors and Z30 rangefinders to improve shot data recording and accuracy.

The main differences lie in user experience and product positioning. The Approach S70 features a bright AMOLED touchscreen with smooth and intuitive map zooming and panning, and a user interface highly focused on golf, offering a more friendly and dedicated interaction. Although the Fenix 8 is packed with comprehensive features, it is designed as an all-around outdoor flagship where golf is just one of many supported sports. Its screen and map interaction are less refined compared to the S70, and the interface is relatively more complex.

Winner: GarminApproach S70

Reason: With nearly identical golf features, the S70’s AMOLED display and golf-focused interaction provide superior usability and visual experience on the course.

Garmin Approach S70 vs Fenix 8 - Fitness and Health Features

The Garmin Approach S70 and Fenix 8 perform similarly in basic health monitoring, both equipped with advanced optical heart rate sensors and supporting heart rate tracking, sleep monitoring, Body Battery, stress level, and blood oxygen measurement. They help users gain a comprehensive understanding of their physical condition and exercise performance. Both watches support multiple sports modes and GPS tracking, recording data for running, cycling, swimming, and more, providing workout routes and data analysis to meet everyday fitness needs.

The difference lies in the Fenix 8’s richer and more professional health and fitness features. It offers advanced monitoring such as abnormal heart rate alerts, jet lag adviser, and ECG (available in some regions), supports a wider range of sports including climbing, skiing, diving, and rucking, and adds dynamic route planning and additional training metrics, greatly enhancing the outdoor and professional training experience. In contrast, the S70 focuses more on golf, covering basic fitness functions but with less comprehensive multi-sport support and advanced monitoring.

Winner: Garmin Fenix 8

Reason: More comprehensive health monitoring and diverse sport support cater to varied fitness and outdoor activity needs.

Garmin Approach S70 vs Fenix 8 - Price and Positioning

Both the Garmin Approach S70 and Fenix 8 are high-end golf smartwatches with premium pricing that reflects their quality and features. The S70 is priced around $499.99 for the 42mm version and $549.99 for the 47mm, focusing on a professional golf experience with over 43,000 preloaded course maps and advanced swing analysis, ideal for golf enthusiasts.

The Fenix 8 offers three sizes- 43mm ($649.99), 47mm ($699.99), and 51mm ($749.99)- with a starting price noticeably higher than the S70. It also supports a sapphire glass upgrade for about $100 more, enhancing durability. As a multi-sport outdoor watch, the Fenix 8 covers running, hiking, diving, and more, featuring solar charging, built-in speaker and microphone, and advanced smart functions.

Winner: Depends on Your Needs

Reason: The S70 offers better value for dedicated golfers, while the Fenix 8 appeals more to those seeking versatility, durability, and multi-sport capabilities.

Garmin Approach S70 vs Fenix 8 - Battery Life

Both the Garmin Approach S70 and Fenix 8 offer excellent battery life, surpassing typical smartwatches. The S70 delivers up to 16 days in smartwatch mode (47mm version) and about 20 hours in GPS mode, meeting the needs of most golf sessions and daily use.

The Fenix 8 offers even stronger endurance, with up to 21 days in smartwatch mode for the 47mm version and 30 days for the 51mm version. Its GPS mode lasts up to 67 hours, and the solar charging model extends battery life to the maximum, making it ideal for long and demanding outdoor activities.

Winner: Fenix 8

Reason:Longer battery life combined with solar charging support provides greater outdoor durability and endurance.

Garmin Approach S70 vs Fenix 8 - Smartwatch Features

Both the Garmin Approach S70 and Fenix 8 support smartphone notifications, including calls, texts, and app alerts, allowing users to stay updated on important information. They also feature all-day health monitoring, Garmin Pay for contactless payments, and access to the Connect IQ store for third-party apps and customizable watch faces.

The key difference is that the Fenix 8 includes a built-in speaker and microphone, enabling voice assistant, voice commands, and phone calls, greatly enhancing convenience and smart functionality. In contrast, the S70 lacks voice interaction, requiring manual operation for all functions and focusing more on dedicated golf features.

Winner: Fenix 8

Reason: Built-in voice interaction and calling capabilities provide a more flexible and versatile smart experience, suitable for various scenarios.

Garmin Approach S70 vs Fenix 8 - Conclusion

Overall, the Garmin Fenix 8 leaves an excellent first impression with its rich features and strong battery life, making it especially suitable for multi-sport enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. However, I’m still in the early stages of testing and will provide more in-depth reviews later, including direct comparisons with the Approach S70 and the older Epix models to give you a fuller understanding of this flagship watch’s real-world performance. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment—I’ll do my best to answer and incorporate your feedback into future reviews.

When it comes to choosing, if you focus mainly on golf and want precise shot assistance along with a stunning visual experience, the Garmin Approach S70 is the professional choice that fits your needs best. Its smooth touchscreen interface and rich course data help you perform at your best on the green.

On the other hand, if you need a versatile smartwatch that supports a wide range of sports, offers comprehensive smart interaction features, has a rugged build, and long-lasting battery life, the Fenix 8 is undoubtedly the more all-around option. It covers not only golf but also running, hiking, diving, and more - making it a reliable companion for everyday life and extreme conditions.

In summary, both watches have their strengths - the key is your personal sports habits and usage scenarios. Let me know what matters most to you, and I can provide more detailed comparisons and recommendations. You can check other Garmin golf watch articles such as Garmin Approach S60 review, Garmin Approach S62 review and Garmin Approach S50 Golf Watch Review.