Garmin Fenix 7 vs Fenix 8 - Ultimate Showdown

Few watch brands evoke memories of extreme, sweat-drenched, and wilderness adventures like Garmin, and the Fenix series has come to epitomize high-end multisport GPS watches. The Fenix 7 and Fenix 8 are among the most recent versions of this popular series — the pair inherits a set of improvements designed to appeal to athletes, adventurers, and fitness enthusiasts.

In this article, we will compare the Garmin Fenix 7 and Fenix 8 in detail so that you can understand their features, performance, and price.

Design and Build Quality

Nobody is going to mistake the Garmin Fenix 7 for a Fenix 8, or vice versa, as far as the design and build quality are concerned, however, there are some notable differences in the construction of both watches.

Garmin Fenix 7:

Fenix 7, as the top 10 best sports watch, is built for toughness, however, designed to withstand the weather. It comes with a stainless steel bezel and can be purchased in the standard (Fenix 7), smaller (Fenix 7S), and larger (Fenix 7X with extra features) sizes. There's also the option for solar charging on the Fenix 7, which makes great use of battery life while outside.

The 1.3-inch display (1.2 on the 7S) is bright and readable even in direct sunlight. The watch is also water resistant to 100 meters, capable of swimming and other water sports. It’s also designed to resist extreme temperatures, shock, and vibration, making it perfect for outdoor adventurers.

Garmin Fenix 8:

The core design of the Fenix 8 is very much the same as the Fenix 7, but Garmin has made a number of refinements. The models also have a new titanium bezel, from which titanium is used to make the bezels, which are both lighter and harder. The screen itself is slightly larger at 1.4 inches (for comparison, the 7's was 1.3-inch), giving it a little better visibility, particularly for athletes who are tracking more data in their workouts.

The sapphire glass is new for the Fenix 8, it's one of the big improvements coming as it provides a better layer against scratches — but it's only for select models. And the watch remains waterproof down to 100 meters and meets all the military standards for toughness.

Display and User Interface

Garmin Fenix 7:

The display of the Fenix 7 is a beacon of clarity, courtesy of the 1.3-inch transflective glass, which provides superb legibility in direct sunlight. You can choose from different watch faces with a range of watch faces and data layouts. The responsive touchscreen is matched by the layout of five additional buttons that provide physical controls, which is useful for navigating when your hands are gloved.

Garmin Fenix 8:

The Fenix 8 features a better display. Its bigger 1.4-inch screen provides higher brightness levels and more highly visible colors, improving the device’s legibility in all circumstances. The Fenix 8 features a more responsive touchscreen than the Fenix 7, and Garmin has refined the interface to support smoother navigation. The button design is mostly unchanged from the Fenix 7, but buttons have been rearranged slightly for better ergonomics.

Battery Life

You could say that battery life is one of the major selling points, both of the Fenix 7 and the new Fenix 8, well ideally suited to long-distance athletes and for anyone spending long periods outdoors.

Garmin Fenix 7:

• Smartwatch mode: 18 days maximum
• GPS mode: Up to 57 hours
• Solar variant: Adds up to 5 days of battery life based on solar exposure.

Those numbers can change in settings and usage, but the Fenix 7 provides impressive longevity on long excursions for those who require a GPS watch that works.

Garmin Fenix 8:

• Smartwatch mode: Up to 20 days
• GPS mode: Up to 60 hours
• Solar version: Up to 6 extra days of battery, depending on solar exposure.

New with the Fenix 8 is slightly better battery life – particularly in GPS mode, compared to what was offered in the Fenix 7. Get the edge if battery longevity is key (Fenix 8).

Fitness and Performance Features

The Garmin Fenix 7 and Fenix 8 pack in a ton of features for tracking fitness across a wide range of activities.

Garmin Fenix 7:

When it comes to sports and fitness, the Fenix 7 is an absolute tank. It also features GPS, heart rate monitoring, pulse oximeter (SpO2 level), and sleep monitoring. It also offers enhanced metrics for runners, cyclists, swimmers, and other athletes, including VO2 max, lactate threshold, and recovery time recommendations. The watch also includes topographic maps, skiing/snowboarding maps, and multi-band GPS to maximize accuracy in difficult locations.

Garmin Fenix 8:

The Fenix 8 takes what the Fenix 7 offered in terms of fitness tracking and adds in features for more serious athletes. The new heart rate sensor is one of the significant improvements, providing better accuracy for high-intensity workouts. Garmin has also improved sleep tracking, with the Fenix 8 offering more in-depth insights into the various sleep stages, as well as recovery metrics.

The Fenix 8 also comes with a new Pulse Ox sensor for more accurate altitude and oxygen tracking, which should be useful for mountaineers or those doing high-altitude training. It's got improved multi-band GNSS support for the GPS function, which provides high-precision location tracking in environments like dense forests or cities.

Navigation and Maps

It goes without saying that Garmin has always been a trendsetter when it comes to navigation features and both Fenix 7 and Fenix 8 come with very detailed maps and location services.

Garmin Fenix 7:

In addition to full-color topographic maps, the Fenix 7 also provides you with routable cycling maps and ski maps for more than 2,000 ski resorts worldwide. It can even download maps for offline use, making it perfect for remote regions where you don't have a cellular signal. The watch has preloaded routes, and you can create a route using their online route planner as well.

Garmin Fenix 8:

Fittest of all of the updates that the Fenix 8 brings to the table is enhanced map rendering and route data on the screen. Garmin claims new maps are more accurate and load faster. Route-building tools are new and improved, as are more sophisticated turn-by-turn navigation features, making the Fenix 8 a more versatile tool whether you hike, run, row, kayak, or ride.

Price and Value

Garmin Fenix 7:

Price (as tested): $699 for Fenix 7(standard version); $899 for Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar; $999 for Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar The Garmin Fenix 7 is around $699 and up. The solar versions cost a little more, but they are worth considering as they potentially extend battery life.

Garmin Fenix 8:

Pricing for the Garmin Fenix 8 starts from around $749, which can go higher if you opt for solar and titanium models. Although the Enduro 2 is pricier than the Fenix 7, features like more accurate GPS and better heart rate tracking as well as battery life justifies the additional cost for serious athletes or outdoor explorers requiring optimum navigation or performance.

Conclusion - Garmin Fenix 7 vs Fenix 8

Either the Garmin Fenix 7 or Fenix 8 is a top-notch option for those who enjoy sports, the great outdoors, or exploring the unknown. The rugged Fenix 7 is a high-performance GPS watch with impeccable sport and activity support. A combination of excellent battery life, display, and rugged design makes it an excellent all-around choice.

The Fenix 8 evolves the Fenix 7's lineup with updated battery life, GPS precision, heart rate tracking, and navigation functions. For a more premium experience with greater features for high-output exercise or for competitive athletes, the Fenix 8 is the way to go.

Choice is yours. Choose the best according to budget! If you want to know more Garmin watch models, you can explore Garmin Approach S60 review, Garmin Approach S62 review and Garmin S62 vs S70.