Garmin fenix 8 vs fenix 7 Pro vs epix Pro 2 — Evolution of a Premium Multisport Watch Explained!
AMOLED display. Speaker and microphone. How is it Garmin's top-shelf watch is the last to gain these premium features? We get into this and more as we compare the best Garmin multisport watch to date with its predecessors!
Why didn’t Garmin add an AMOLED display to the fenix 7 Pro like they did on the original epix?
And why didn’t they give it a speaker and microphone like on the Venu 2 Plus—which also had a bright AMOLED screen?
Even the most entry-level Garmin Forerunner watch, the 165, has an AMOLED display.
These were questions and comments pouring from consumers over the last couple of years, after some pretty big Garmin watch releases—especially when touchscreens and AMOLED displays became more prevalent with the brand.
After all, if it had these two upgrades—the fenix would basically dominate all other multisport watches, right? So, WTH, Garmin?
Well, the time has come. And honestly, there were some not-so-obvious good reasons for not giving Garmin’s fenix lineup these updates sooner.
We’re going to get into those reasons, but more importantly, we’re going to go over all the ways in which the 2024 fenix 8 series is different than the fenix 7 Pro series and the epix Pro 2 series—and, how one of our partners realized (with some perplexity) that the fenix E is basically the epix (Gen 2) repurposed. We get to why that might be the case, as well.
So, let’s dive in! (Because that’s a thing you can do with the fenix 8 now—scuba dive!)
Garmin fenix 8 Display vs fenix E, fenix 7 Pro & epix Pro
First, a Quick Side Adventure into Ethos.
As a consumer, it’s easy to assume that Garmin could have added a feature and just didn’t for some reason, ranging from silly to nefariously capitalistic.
We can’t speak for Garmin. But PlayBetter has had a relationship with Garmin for over a decade, and we know them to always be considering users’ needs, desires, and budget.
With many of their launches, it’s easy to see that their intention was to bring their reliable, proprietary, industry-leading technology to the greatest number of people.
Take the Approach R10, for example—the first golf launch monitor to offer a range of simulation options for only $600! Or the recent Forerunner 165 that is only $50 more than the FR 55—but is several times the running watch for beginners!
Understand, we’re not saying they’re perfect or philanthropic tech angels practically giving their wares away for free.
What we’re saying is: tech evolves.
And we think Garmin is leading the way in their industries, responsibly and with their ear to the ground.
I’ve personally worked in their marketing/comms department, and trust me, they take great pains to avoid landing on the wrong side of a decision.
So, for me, it’s doubtful they’ve been intentionally holding out on us.
Now, onto the display issue and how an AMOLED display FINALLY found its way onto a Garmin fenix!
Factor #1: Price Point
A brighter AMOLED display costs more. Period. You want it, you have to pay for it.
A top-shelf watch like the Garmin fenix is already fully loaded with the best features that Garmin (and the industry) has to offer. Like a multi-band GPS chipset, music storage, 5-button operation plus touchscreen, ABC sensors, and 32 gigs of memory that allows for a monster portion of preloaded maps and a whole lot of continuously updating training and health-monitoring software features.
When we have the best, sometimes we forget that having better than the best means we have to pay for it by giving something up—like existing features or … money.
Topping all of Garmin’s existing badassery with an AMOLED display unfortunately means a heftier price tag. Which is the case with the fenix 8 AMOLED watches.
But that’s why the advent of the fenix E model. Which, yes, is basically the original epix (Gen 2) standard model but with a launch price of $100 less. This more affordable fenix option gives you the AMOLED touchscreen display and nearly all of the Garmin DNA inside, while backing off in the hardware department so they could back off on the price tag.
Therefore, with the fenix E, you won’t have the most rugged build quality (titanium bezel, sapphire lens, sensor guard) or the mic and speaker or the LED flashlight. Nor will you have the exorbitant battery life or size options. (More on the Garmin fenix E later. Or check out this article or our fenix E product page to learn more now.)
Factor #2: AMOLED & Solar-Charging Technology — Strange Bedfellows
Solar-charging options have been a hallmark of the Garmin fenix family for a while now. But a solar panel beneath the glass of a watch adds just a smidge of haziness. If you’re a hardcore ultra-runner or backcountry explorer, you probably won’t mind this too much if it means keeping your watch powered for days on end.
But if you purchase a watch with an AMOLED display, the dimming of the brightness from a solar panel is unacceptable. And to get substantial rays for substantial charging, a watch needs all the real estate on your watch face.
The solution has been to create both options in the 2024 Garmin fenix family: a fenix 8 AMOLED model and a fenix 8 Solar with MIP display.
Happily, there has been improvement on the solar-charging tech front. The Garmin fenix Solar features a new solar panel with enhanced visibility. So when you purchase this pricey puppy, you're getting a better display.
Now one can begin to see why the epix family will likely give way to the fenix lineup entirely. As the whole point of the epix (Gen 2) and epix Pro was to have a fenix lineup with an AMOLED display on it.
Sort of. The epix could not compete with a non-solar fenix 7 in terms of battery life. It wasn’t even close.
As for the Garmin fenix E, its two 47 mm options are AMOLED only. Like the epix family, it does not have a solar option.
Factor #3 Energy and Battery Life
Garmin bends over backwards to give you a variety of energy settings on the majority of their watches. In fact, we’ll say they’re contortionists in this category.
But the 1,000 nits of a gorgeous AMOLED watch face is high-maintenance for the energy department of a Garmin watch.
And long before it was known as a watch with a pretty display, the Garmin fenix was branded as a durable watch that could get you through some next-level, backcountry adventures!
It would not do to severely decrease battery life for an eye-catching watch face that only a bear and your fellow outdoor junkies are around to see.
It took some doing. That is … technical evolution to make it all balance out in a watch that is energetically efficient and still in the realm of affordable to anyone who wants this kind of limit-testing GPS multisport watch as their companion.
Again, for those who want the AMOLED on their fenix and are willing to trade off some battery life for a couple of bills off the price, Garmin created the fenix E multisport watch.
You can compare battery life between the fenix 8, fenix E, fines 7 Pro and epix Pro below in our charts below.
Garmin fenix 8 vs fenix 7 Pro vs epix Pro vs fenix E — More Differences
So, the addition of the AMOLED display to the 2024 Garmin fenix is the showstopper. But it's closely followed by the integration of a speaker and microphone. After that, the upgrades and new features on this watch are a bit more subtle—but add up to the best fenix multisport watch Garmin has ever made. Read on for the specifics!
Speaker & Microphone
In 2022, the Venu 2 Plus was Garmin's first watch to have a speaker and microphone to take and make calls and use voice assistant—as long as it was connected to your phone.
Now, the new Garmin fenix 8 is able to do the same with its integrated speaker and mic—plus more!
Not only can you make and take calls from your wrist and use your phone's voice assistant, but now you have offline Voice Command!
If you are off the grid, you can interact with your watch without your phone using voice commands such as, “start a trail run”, “set a timer for 5 minutes”, "open my music", “save waypoint”, and "show weather,". The possibilities are endless and can be activated right from you fenix 8.
Finally, you will also have Voice Notes which allows you to record a voice memo on your watch on the go. The Voice Notes app records your voice and your geolocation. Sweet!
At its time of release, only the Garmin fenix 8 series (not the previous fenix 7 Pro, epix 2 Pro, Enduro 3, or any Forerunner or tactix 7 watch) has these features.
In his YouTube review, our partner Dave at Chase the Summit said this feature, although new, was surprisingly reliable—even in noisy environments.
Garmin fenix 8 vs fenix E vs fenix 7 Pro vs epix Pro — Build Quality
Durability has always been an important factor in a Garmin watch, especially the more expensive watches. And sophisticated ruggedness is in the DNA of the Garmn fenix brand.
Most Garmin watches are built to U.S. Military Standard 810 for thermal, shock, and water resistance.
Both the previous fenix 7 series and epix families have offered more expensive models with scratch-resistant sapphire lenses and titanium bezels and case covers (titanium is lighter and shaves many grams off of your watch, too).
You have the same options for the Garmin fenix 8 premium multisport smartwatch—but with even more durability.
A sensor guard has been added to protect the barometer and microphone between the buttons. And this fenix now features leak-proof buttons! How did they do it? The buttons are inductive now, so there are no holes in the case. They work off of sensors and offer a haptic feedback so you know when you're pressing them.
And these new leak-proof buttons mean that the fenix 7 is now dive rated for up to 40 meters! And yes, it comes loaded with a dive activity profile for Scuba Diving (single gas), Apnea Diving, and Depth App.
It should be noted that the more affordable Garmin fenix E model has a gorilla glass lens and stainless steel bezel. And it does not feature a sensor guard or leak-proof buttons—therefore no dive activity.
fenix 8 Watch Size Options
In keeping with the fenix 7 Pro and epix 2 Pro series, the fenix 8 lineup also offers 3 sizes. However, there has been improvement!
The smaller and medium sizes of these Garmin smartwatches have an increased display size. Check out the comparison charts below:
| fenix 43mm |
fenix 47mm |
fenix 51mm AMOLED / Solar |
fenix E | |
| Case Size | 43 x 13.8 mm |
47 x 13.8 mm (A) |
51 x 14.7 mm (A) 51 x 15.4 mm (S) |
43 x 14.5 mm |
| Weight |
Stainless Steel: 66 g Titanium: 60 g |
SS: 80 g (A) Ti: 73 g (A) Ti: 80 g (S) |
SS: 102 g (A) |
76 g |
| Display | 1.3" AMOLED 416 x 416 |
1.4" (A) 454 x 454 1.3" (S) 260 x 260 |
1.4" (A) 454 x 454 1.4" (S) 260 x 260 |
1.3" AMOLED 416 x 416 |
| Lens | Glass/Sapphire |
Glass/Sap (A) Sapphire (S) |
Glass/Sap (A) Sapphire (S) |
Glass |
| Bezel | Stainless Steel or Titanium |
SS/Ti (A) Titanium (S) |
SS/Ti (A) Titanium (S) |
Stainless Steel |
| Price | $999 / $1099 | $999 / $1099 | $1099 / $1199 | $799 |
|
fenix 7S Pro Solar / Sapphire Solar |
fenix 7 Pro |
fenix 7X Pro Solar / Sapphire Solar |
|
| Case Size | 42 x 14.1 | 47 x 14.5 | 51 x 14.9 |
| Weight | Stainless Steel: 65 g Titanium: 58 G |
SS: 96 g Ti: 89 g |
SS: 96 g Ti: 89 g |
| Display | 1.2" MIP 240 x 240 |
1.3" MIP 260 x 260 |
1.4" MIP 280 x 280 |
| Lens |
Power Sapphire |
Power Sapphire |
Power Sapphire |
| Bezel | Stainless Steel or Titanium |
Stainless Steel or Titanium |
Stainless Steel or Titanium |
| Price | $799 / $899 | $799 / $899 | $899 / $999 |
|
epix 2 Pro 42mm |
epix 2 Pro |
epix 2 Pro 51mm |
|
| Case Size | 42 x 14.2 mm | 47 x 14.6 | 51 x 15.0 |
| Weight |
Stainless Steel: 63 g Titanium: 58 g |
SS: 96 g Ti: 89 g |
SS: 98 g Ti: 88 g |
| Display | 1.2" AMOLED 390 x 390 |
1.3" AMOLED |
1.4" AMOLED 454 x 454 |
| Lens | Glass / Sapphire | Glass / Sapphire | Glass / Sapphire |
| Bezel |
Stainless Steel |
Stainless Steel or Titanium |
Stainless Steel or Titanium |
| Price | $899 / $999 | $899 / $999 | $999 / $1099 |
Multisport Watch Memory
Why does memory on your watch matter? Because the difference between 16 GB and 32 GB can determine whether you get topo maps (and other maps) preloaded on the watch. It also affects the amount of activity profiles you can have on your GPS watch, plus the personal data history you can save and how accurately you can record an activity.
Most top-tier Garmin watches have the 32 GB of memory, which means they have preloaded topo maps and other kinds of maps, including road and trail, golf course, and ski resorts around the world.
On the original Garmin epix (Gen 2), the standard version did not come preloaded with TopoActive maps—but you could download them. It is the same for the new fenix E.
The fenix 7 Pro lineup and epix 2 Pro series came with preloaded topo maps, as does the Garmin fenix 8 multisport watch family.
Cool New Things You’ll Find on a Fenix 8 but NOT on the …
Garmin fenix E
- Solar-charging option: Available only on the fenix 8.
- Size: The fenix E is available in one size only, 47mm, while the fenix 8 series offers 43mm, 47mm, and 51mm.
- Integrated Mic & Speaker: Only in the fenix 8 lineup (with Calling, Voice Assistant, Voice Command & Voice Notes).
- Extra durability: The new Garmin fenix 8 watches outshine the fenix E with leak-proof buttons, dive activity, and sensor guard.
- Battery life: While still way-better-than-Apple respectable, fenix E's battery is not as extensive as the fenix 8 (see comparison charts below).
- LED flashlight: the more affordable E does not have it, but the new fenix family has this feature on every size and model.
Garmin fenix 7 Pro
- AMOLED display option: This new Garmin series is the first time with the brighter display.
- Integrated Mic & Speaker: Only in the fenix 8 lineup (with Calling, Voice Assistant, Voice Command & Voice Notes).
- Extra durability: The new Garmin fenix 8 watches outshine the fenix E with leak-proof buttons, dive activity, and sensor guard.
- Sport-specific strength training: Offers targeted, 4-6-week strength training plans to help meet personal goals, plus sport-specific workouts for athletes of all types, including trail runners, surfers, skiers and more. It's still not known if previous Garmin multisport watches will get this in an update.
- Larger display real estate on smaller watches: The small and medium fenix 8 sizes are now 43mm (1.3" display) and 47mm (1.4" display) compared to the fenix 7 Pro series of 42mm (1.2" display) and 47mm (1.3" display).
- Enhanced visibility on a solar watch display: The fenix 8's new edge ring solar panel is far more efficient, and no longer covers display, improving clarity. (Solar only available on fenix 8 47mm and 51mm).
- Dynamic round-trip routing: Basically like having Google maps on your wrist, this feature now auto-changes your route mid-way to achieve a specified distance if you go off-course.
- Battery life: Like always, Garmin gives you more with the new generation. Especially in the fenix 8 Solar models; the 51mm provides 50% more solar power than its predecessor—wow!
Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2)
- Solar-charging options: The fenix 8 — 47mm and 51mm — Solar GPS watches feature an always-on display with a solar-charging lens that harnesses the power of the sun even better, resulting in fenix 8 Solar – 51mm providing 50% more solar power than its predecessor.
- Integrated Mic & Speaker: Only in the fenix 8 lineup (with Calling, Voice Assistant, Voice Command & Voice Notes).
- Extra durability: The new Garmin fenix 8 watches outshine the fenix E with leak-proof buttons, dive activity, and sensor guard.
- Sport-specific strength training: Offers targeted, 4-6-week strength training plans to help meet personal goals, plus sport-specific workouts for athletes of all types, including trail runners, surfers, skiers and more. It's still not known if previous Garmin multisport watches will get this in an update.
- Larger display real estate on smaller watches: The small and medium fenix 8 sizes are now 43mm (1.3" display) and 47mm (1.4" display) compared to the fenix 7 Pro series of 42mm (1.2" display) and 47mm (1.3" display).
- Enhanced visibility on a solar watch display: The fenix 8's new edge ring solar panel is far more efficient, and no longer covers display, improving clarity. (Solar only available on fenix 8 – 47mm and 51mm).
- Dynamic round-trip routing: Basically like having Google maps on your wrist, this feature now auto-changes your route mid-way to achieve a specified distance if you go off-course.
- Battery life: Like always, Garmin gives you more with the new generation.
Garmin fenix 8 vs fenix 7 vs epix Pro vs fenix E: Battery Life Comparison Chart
For the sake of ease, we're going to call these watch sizes: "Small", "Medium" and "Large". Note that the fenix E has only one size, which belongs to the Mediums.
Our chart here only has comparisons of the medium sizes of each family of watches. To see the battery life of the other fenix 8 sizes, visit this article.
Note: Battery life table scrolls to the right for more models.
| fenix 8 47 mm AMOLED |
fenix 8 47 mm Solar |
fenix 7 Pro | epix (Gen 2) Pro | fenix E | |
| Battery Life |
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More Discussion on the fenix E in This New Garmin Watch Series ...
The general consensus from reviewers has been that the Garmin fenix E is an basically a repurposed epix. Which is pretty much true. And the epix watches were essentially Garmin fenix watches with an AMOLED screen and not quite the battery life.
Now that the fenix 8 has an AMOLED display, well ... we've come full circle. However you want to see it, here's what the situation is now: The new Garmin fenix 8 lineup offers several new fully loaded options with an AMOLED display and a more affordable fenix E model.
Pretty straightforward. For perhaps the best premium multisport smartwatch series on the planet.
If it's not for you, a Garmin Forerunner might be more your speed. Check out the whole range of Garmin's smartwatches in our collection here.