Garmin Fenix 8 vs Fenix 7 Pro: What's New?
By Naila Syifa
Updated September 2024
The Garmin Fenix 8 Series are the latest additions to Garmin's flagship line of rugged, multisport GPS watches. It promises several significant upgrades over its predecessor the Fenix 7 Series.
While the Fenix 7 Series offers a Pro variant that takes the standard Fenix 7 to the next level with added features and capabilities, the new Fenix 8 Series doesn't have a separate Pro model. So how does the Fenix 8 and Fenix 7 Pro stack up against each other?
Key Takeaways
New features offered by the Fenix 8 include a bright AMOLED display option, diving features, sports-specific strength training, a built-in microphone and speaker, and new QZSS and BeiDou support. However, some essential features like preloaded TopoActive maps and solar charging capability that the Fenix 7 Pro offers are only included in some Fenix 8 models and not all.
Garmin Fenix 8
The Ultimate GPS Smartwatch
✓ AMOLED Display
✓ Advanced Strength Training
✓ Built-in Speaker & Microphone
✓ Dive-Rated
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro
Premium Fitness and Outdoor Watch
✓ Transflective MIP Display
✓ Advanced Training, Health, Fitness
✓ Preloaded TopoActive Maps
✓ Solar Charging
#1 Price & Variants
Garmin Fenix 8
Garmin Fenix 8 Series comes in two variants – Fenix 8 AMOLED and Fenix 8 Solar. The two are mainly different in display and solar charging capabilities. They also have some minor differences, but most of the core capabilities are shared across the two Fenix 8 models. The Fenix 8 AMOLED is available in 43, 47, and 51 mm sizes while the Fenix 8 Solar comes in 47 and 51 mm sizes.
Fenix 8 Series Pricing
Fenix 8 AMOLED 43mm: $999.99
Fenix 8 AMOLED 43mm Sapphire: $1,099.99
Fenix 8 AMOLED 47mm: $999.99
Fenix 8 AMOLED 47mm Sapphire: $1,099.99
Fenix 8 AMOLED 51mm: $1,099.99
Fenix 8 AMOLED 51mm Sapphire: $1,199.99
Fenix 8 Solar 47mm Sapphire: $1,099.99
Fenix 8 Solar 51mm Sapphire: $1,199.99
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro offers two variants – Fenix 7 Pro Solar and Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar – with each coming in 42mm, 47mm, and 51mm sizes. Two key things that set the Fenix 7 Pro Solar and Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar apart are the lens and bezel materials. The Solar model has a Power Glass lens with a stainless steel bezel, while the Sapphire Solar boasts the more premium and durable Power Sapphire lens and a titanium bezel.
Fenix 7 Pro Pricing
Fenix 7S Pro Solar: $799.99
Fenix 7 Pro Solar: $799.99
Fenix 7X Pro Solar: $899.99
Fenix 7 Pro Solar (No Wi-Fi): $799.99
Fenix 7X Pro Solar (No Wi-Fi): $899.99
Fenix 7S Pro Sapphire Solar: $899.99
Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar: $899.99
Fenix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar: $999.99
#2 Design & Display
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro
What mainly sets the Fenix 8 apart from the Fenix 7 Pro is its AMOLED display, which is brighter, more vibrant, and offers a higher resolution compared to the Fenix 7 Pro's transflective MIP display. The AMOLED display has better visibility in different lighting conditions, so it can be a big advantage for users who like to embark on nighttime outdoor activities or in low-light environments.
However, take note that only the Fenix 8 AMOLED features an AMOLED display, while the Fenix 8 Solar offers a transflective MIP display similar to the Fenix 7 Pro.
Fenix 8 and Fenix 7 Pro share a rugged design with military-grade durability. They both have a 10 ATM water rating for up to 100 meters of water resistance, but the Fenix 8 is also dive-rated to 40m. It's all thanks to the new leakproof inductive buttons and a sensor guard integrated into the case, allowing no hole for water to penetrate and the protection of essential sensors.
#3 Health & Fitness Features
Garmin Fenix 8
Fenix 8 retains most of the greatness that the Fenix 7 Pro offers in terms of health and fitness tracking capabilities. They both offer heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep, stress tracking, ECG app compatibility, and advanced training features like PacePro, ClimbPro, Garmin Coach, and performance metrics.
Fenix 8 is missing out on two activity profiles previously supported in the Fenix 7 Pro – Sail Racing and Sail Expedition – but instead offers new diving profiles that were not available in the Fenix 7 Pro – Scuba Diving and Apnea Diving. The depth sensor supports up to 40m of water depth and there are a range of diving features like a dive planner, safety stop, no-fly time, and more.
Garmin Fenix 8 Series also has a new Advanced Strength Training feature, which can develop a 4-6 week strength training plan tailored to specific sports. This helps athletes of all types customize their workout plans based on their specific needs and goals instead of relying on generic training programs.
#4 Maps & Navigational Features
Garmin Fenix 8
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro comes preloaded with TopoActive maps, which provide detailed topographic information for outdoor navigation. Fenix 8 only offers it in the Sapphire models, so watches without the Sapphire lens will need to separately purchase the TopoActive maps for $59.99 per different continent.
However, the Fenix 8 Series has an advantage with more GNSS support, including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou, while the Fenix 7 Pro only supports the first three satellite systems. More GNSS support means more flexibility for accurate positioning and navigation, which can be useful during adventures in challenging environments.
Besides differences in the TopoActive maps availability and GNSS support, there are more minor changes between the two watches, like new dynamic round-trip routing, new 'Set a Target' distance reminder, and some map interface changes in the Fenix 8. The rest of the navigation and mapping capabilities remain largely similar between the Fenix 8 and Fenix 7 Pro.
#5 Smartwatch Features
Garmin Fenix 8 Solar
One major breakthrough that the Fenix 8 introduces is the addition of a built-in speaker and microphone, which unlocks a range of voice-based features like calling, accessing the smartphone's voice assistant or Garmin offline voice assistant, and voice notes recording. All of these are unavailable on the Fenix 7 Pro.
Two new features of the Fenix 8 include Focus Mode, which helps users customize a group of settings for different situations like during Sleep And Activity, and Garmin Share, which allows users to easily share saved locations, courses, and workouts with other Garmin device owners.
The rest of the daily smartwatch features are largely similar between the Fenix 8 and Fenix 7 Pro, including smart notifications, text messaging, music playback, Garmin Pay, stocks tracker, and more.
#6 Battery & Charging
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro
Two variants of the Fenix 7 Pro – Fenix 7 Pro Solar and Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar – are all equipped with solar charging capabilities, allowing them to extend their battery life when exposed to sufficient sunlight. Meanwhile, only the Fenix 8 Solar has solar charging capabilities, while the Fenix 8 AMOLED models do not.
However, the solar panel in the Fenix 8 Solar has been upgraded from the Fenix 7 Pro. The 51mm Fenix 8 Solar claims to provide 50% more solar power than its predecessor.
As a comparison, the 51mm Fenix 8 Solar can last for up to 30 days in smartwatch mode or up to 48 days with solar charging in smartwatch mode. Meanwhile, the 51mm Fenix 7 Pro can last up to 28 days in smartwatch mode or up to 37 days with solar charging in smartwatch mode.
Garmin Fenix 8 vs Fenix 7 Pro
Final Thoughts
Garmin Fenix 8
Fenix 8 Series may not have a separate Pro model simply because it doesn't need one. It already packs a lot of advanced features and capabilities that make it a highly capable sports watch, from sports-specific strength training to diving support and a built-in microphone & speaker.
While the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro lacks the new features, it remains a premium sports watch that offers excellent capabilities. It even has some advantages over the Fenix 8, such as preloaded TopoActive maps and solar charging capabilities across all variants.
If you like to read more on smartwatches, check out our other relevant guides here:
Garmin Fenix 8 vs Fenix 8 Solar
Garmin Fenix 8 vs Fenix 7
Garmin Fenix 8 vs Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar
Garmin Fenix 8 vs Epix 2
Garmin Fenix 8 vs Epix Pro
Garmin Fenix 8 vs Forerunner 965
Garmin Fenix 8 vs Galaxy Watch Ultra
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