Premium Garmin Watch Grants $350 Discount Prior to Prime Day - Is It a Worthwhile Investment?
In the realm of high-end smartwatches, the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar and the Garmin Fenix 8 are two standout options, each offering a unique blend of features tailored to outdoor enthusiasts and fitness enthusiasts alike.
The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar, with its memory-in-pixel (MIP) display and solar charging capabilities, boasts an impressive battery life of approximately 18 days in smartwatch mode and around 57 hours with GPS, plus an additional 5 days with solar charging. This makes it an ideal choice for those seeking a device that can keep up with their active lifestyle without frequent charging.
On the other hand, the Garmin Fenix 8 introduces AMOLED display options for richer visuals and improves solar efficiency without the need for a solar ring. With up to 20 days in smartwatch mode and 60 hours in GPS mode for AMOLED versions, the Fenix 8 offers slightly improved battery life compared to its predecessor. Solar MIP versions can last 21–30 days depending on conditions.
The Fenix 8 also brings refined sleep tracking, scores, and continuous improvements via firmware updates. Initial glitches, such as shutdowns in cold water, have been addressed with recent software patches. The Fenix 8 is also available in a smaller 43mm version, although this may have reduced battery life compared to similarly sized Fenix 7 models.
In terms of pricing, the Pro model of the Fenix 8 has recently seen a significant price drop, making it more accessible.
Comparing the two, the Fenix 8 advances the Fenix 7 Pro Solar primarily with updated display options, better battery life in some models, enhanced software features, and improved solar efficiency. However, some newer size variants of the Fenix 8 may have less battery life than comparable Fenix 7 models.
The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire, a variant of the Fenix 7 Pro Solar, does not have an AMOLED screen but offers up to 22 hours of battery life in smartwatch mode. It also features new fitness score programs, solar charging, and a built-in flashlight, among other features.
Both the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar and the Garmin Fenix 8 are excellent choices for outdoor and fitness enthusiasts, with the Fenix 8 representing the latest generation with incremental improvements. For those seeking a solar-powered GPS smartwatch with all the bells and whistles, a built-in flashlight, and nearly limitless battery life, the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar remains a solid choice.
[1] Source: Garmin official website [3] Source: TechRadar [4] Source: Wareable [5] Source: Tom's Guide
The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar and the Garmin Fenix 8 are not just smartwatches, they are also smart-home-devices that can be synced with other gadgets and technology for seamless control in a modern home setup. The improved solar efficiency in the Fenix 8 means that it can also be used as a power bank for other smart-home devices when needed.
