Design:
| screen size |
1.4" |
| Display type |
OLED/AMOLED |
| water resistance |
Waterproof |
| has branded damage-resistant glass |
✕ |
| ATM rating |
10 ATM |
| resolution |
454 x 454 px |
| Watch band is replaceable |
✓ |
| has a touch screen |
✓ |
| weight |
92 g |
| waterproof depth rating |
40 m |
| Has sapphire glass display |
✓ |
| thickness |
14.7 mm |
| Always-On Display |
✓ |
| height |
51 mm |
| pixel density |
458 ppi |
| maximum operating temperature |
45 °C |
| lowest potential operating temperature |
-20 °C |
| Has a display |
✓ |
| width |
51 mm |
| width of band |
26 mm |
| volume |
38.2347 cm³ |
The Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED Sapphire features a 1.4″ AMOLED always-on display with a resolution of 454 x 454 px and a pixel density of 458 ppi, protected by sapphire glass rather than branded damage-resistant glass. The case measures 51 x 51 mm with a thickness of 14.7 mm and weighs 92 g, with a 26 mm replaceable band and a total volume of 38.23 cm³. The touchscreen is fully waterproof, rated at 10 ATM with a waterproof depth of 40 m, and the watch operates reliably across a temperature range of -20 °C to 45 °C.
Sensors:
| has GPS |
✓ |
| Has a heart rate monitor |
✓ |
| Monitors blood oxygenation levels |
✓ |
| Has a barometer |
✓ |
| has an accelerometer |
✓ |
| has a compass |
✓ |
| Has a temperature sensor |
✓ |
| Has a cadence sensor |
✕ |
| has a gyroscope |
✓ |
| Has a wind speed sensor |
✓ |
| Monitors perspiration |
✕ |
The watch includes a broad set of built-in sensors, covering GPS, a heart rate monitor, a pulse oximeter for blood oxygenation tracking, a barometer, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a compass, a body temperature sensor, and a wind speed sensor. It does not include a cadence sensor or a perspiration monitor.
Activity tracking:
| Has a route tracker |
✓ |
| Tracks distance |
✓ |
| Measures pace |
✓ |
| Has trackback mode |
✓ |
| Tracks your sleep |
✓ |
| Has multi-sport mode |
✓ |
| Detects activities automatically |
✓ |
| Tracks elevation |
✓ |
| Tracks steps taken |
✓ |
| Provides sleep reports |
✓ |
| Has exercise tagging |
✓ |
| Has a stroke counter for swimming |
✓ |
| Tracks calorie intake |
✓ |
| Designed for diving |
✓ |
| Designed for golf |
✓ |
The Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED Sapphire covers a wide range of activity tracking capabilities, including route tracking, distance, pace, elevation, and step counting, along with trackback mode and automatic activity detection. It supports multi-sport mode and is specifically designed for both diving and golf, while also offering a swim stroke counter for pool and open-water sessions. Sleep tracking comes with detailed sleep reports, and exercise tagging gives users a straightforward way to log and organize workouts. Additional tracking extends to calorie intake, rounding out a fairly comprehensive picture of daily health and activity data.
Connectivity:
| Is compatible with iOS |
✓ |
| Is compatible with Android |
✓ |
| supports Wi-Fi |
✓ |
| has a cellular module |
✕ |
| supports ANT+ |
✓ |
| has NFC |
✓ |
The watch is compatible with both iOS and Android devices and connects wirelessly via Wi-Fi, NFC, and ANT+, covering a range of pairing and data transfer needs. It does not include a cellular module, so an independent mobile connection is not available directly from the watch.
Battery:
| battery life |
29 days |
| battery life with GPS on |
84 hours |
| battery life in training mode |
62 hours |
| has wireless charging |
✕ |
| Has a solar power battery |
✕ |
| has a rechargeable battery |
✓ |
| has a removable battery |
✕ |
The watch runs on a rechargeable battery that is neither removable nor wirelessly charged, and it does not include a solar charging option. In smartwatch mode, battery life reaches up to 29 days, while GPS use extends to 84 hours and training mode delivers up to 62 hours before requiring a charge.
Features:
| has HRV tracking |
✓ |
| measures VO2 max |
✓ |
| measures resting heart rate |
✓ |
| has fast/slow heart rate notifications |
✓ |
| shows readiness level |
✓ |
| Can upload maps |
✓ |
| Has vibrating alerts |
✓ |
| Has a stopwatch |
✓ |
| Locates your phone |
✓ |
| Has silent alarm |
✓ |
| has irregular heart rate warnings |
✓ |
| has fall detection |
✓ |
| Has notifications |
✓ |
| Acquires GPS faster |
✓ |
| Has call control |
✓ |
| Provides the sunrise/sunset time |
✓ |
| internal storage |
32GB |
| Can be used to answer calls |
✓ |
| supports Galileo |
✓ |
| Has smart alarm |
✕ |
| Informs about the risk of thunderstorms |
✓ |
| warranty period |
1 years |
| number of microphones |
1 |
| has voice commands |
✓ |
| Has a built-in camera remote control function |
✕ |
On the health monitoring side, the watch tracks HRV, resting heart rate, and VO2 max, and provides readiness and recovery scores alongside fast/slow heart rate notifications and irregular heart rate warnings. It also includes fall detection and thunderstorm risk alerts for added safety outdoors. Navigation is supported through fast GPS lock, Galileo compatibility, and the ability to upload custom maps, while sunrise and sunset times are available directly on the wrist. For everyday use, the watch handles wrist notifications, call control, the ability to answer calls via a single built-in microphone, voice commands, vibrating alerts, a silent alarm, a stopwatch, and a phone-finding function. It does not offer a smart alarm or a camera remote shutter. Internal storage stands at 32 GB, and the watch comes with a 1-year warranty.
App & Software:
| Provides activity reports |
✓ |
| Has inactivity alerts |
✓ |
| Counts how many calories you've burned |
✓ |
| Has goal setting |
✓ |
| Has achievements |
✓ |
| Free app |
✓ |
| Has exercise diary |
✓ |
| Ad-free |
✓ |
| Has weight tracking |
✓ |
| Tracks BMI |
✓ |
| Tracks water intake |
✓ |
| Has live tracking |
✓ |
| Has coaching |
✓ |
| Has temperature tracking |
✓ |
| Has period notifications |
✓ |
| Supports routes |
✓ |
| Syncs with existing calendars |
✓ |
| Has voice feedback |
✓ |
| Has music playback |
✓ |
| Displays fertile window notifications |
✓ |
| Includes maps |
✓ |
| Doesn’t require account |
✕ |
| Predicts start date |
✓ |
| Predicts ovulation |
✓ |
| Has video tutorials |
✓ |
| Supports widgets |
✓ |
| Can be personalised |
✓ |
| Has barcode scanner on app |
✕ |
The companion app is free and ad-free, and can be personalised with widgets, though an account is required to use it. It covers a broad range of tracking features including calories burned, weight, BMI, water intake, temperature, and activity reports, and sends inactivity alerts to help users stay on track with their goals. Live tracking, route support, integrated maps, and calendar syncing are all included, alongside coaching, voice feedback, music playback, and video tutorials. Goal setting and an exercise diary provide structure for training, while the achievements system adds a progress-oriented layer to daily activity. On the women's health side, the app handles period notifications, fertile window notifications, ovulation predictions, and start date predictions. A barcode scanner is not available within the app.
Miscellaneous:
| has a battery level indicator |
✓ |
| Is compatible with Windows |
✓ |
| Has auto pause |
✓ |
| Compatible with external heart rate monitors |
✓ |
| Available on PC |
✓ |
| Compatible with smart scales |
✓ |
| Is compatible with Mac OS X |
✓ |
| has an external memory slot |
✕ |
| has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack |
✕ |
The watch includes a battery level indicator and supports auto pause during activities. It is compatible with external heart rate monitors and smart scales, and the software is available on PC, with support for both Windows and Mac OS X. There is no external memory slot and no 3.5 mm audio jack.