Garmin Fenix 8 vs Fenix 8 Solar: Major & Minor Differences
By Naila Syifa
Updated September 2024
Garmin Fenix 8 Series includes two variants, the Fenix 8 AMOLED and the Fenix 8 Solar. As clear as the name suggests, the Fenix 8 Solar model features solar charging capabilities while the standard Fenix 8 features an AMOLED display without solar charging support.
But are the differences between the two models only limited to the display and solar charging capabilities, or are there more minor, potentially overlooked differences between the two models that you should know about?
Key Takeaways
The key difference between Garmin Fenix 8 and Fenix 8 Solar is the display and charging technology, with the Fenix 8 offering a premium AMOLED with standard charging, while the Fenix 8 Solar adds solar charging support albeit with a lower-quality MIP display. The minor differences include the built-in mapping, Red Shift Mode, size options, and lens and bezel materials.
Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED
The Ultimate GPS Smartwatch
✓ AMOLED Display
✓ Advanced Strength Training
✓ Built-in Speaker & Microphone
✓ Red Shift Mode
Garmin Fenix 8 Solar
The Ultimate GPS Smartwatch with Extended Power
✓ Transflective MIP Display
✓ Advanced Strength Training
✓ Built-in Speaker & Microphone
✓ Solar Charging
#1 Price & Variants
Garmin Fenix 8
The AMOLED model of the Fenix 8 ranges from $999.99 to $1,199 for the various size and material options, while the Fenix 8 Solar ranges from $1,099 to $1,199.
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
#2 Design & Display
Garmin Fenix 8
The standard Fenix 8, also known as the Fenix 8 AMOLED, boasts an AMOLED display that sets it apart from the Fenix 8 Solar model, which features an MIP display with less vibrant colors and lower contrast. AMOLED is a superior display technology more commonly found in premium smartwatches, offering brighter, higher-resolution, more vibrant colors, and better visibility in different lighting conditions.
Other than display differences, both watches are also different in terms of lens and bezel materials. The Fenix 8 Solar boasts a durable titanium bezel and a Power Sapphire lens, which allows for solar charging capabilities.
Meanwhile, the Fenix 8 AMOLED can be in either stainless steel or titanium bezel and with a Corning Gorilla Glass or Sapphire Crystal lens. Models with Sapphire Crystal lens are labeled as Sapphire Edition, which costs $100 more than the Corning Gorilla Glass models.
Other design aspects beyond those mentioned are largely similar between the Fenix 8 AMOLED and Fenix 8 Solar models. They have a new sensor guard and leak-proof inductive buttons that make both watches dive-rated to 40m. The overall design is also built to military-grade durability standards.
#3 Health & Fitness Features
Garmin Fenix 8
Fenix 8 and Fenix 8 Solar have no difference in terms of health and fitness features. They both offer advanced health and fitness tracking capabilities, including heart rate monitoring, Body Battery energy monitoring, ECG and various workout modes.
Some newly added features include sports-specific Advanced Strength Training, which develops 4-7 week strength training plans tailored to specific sports to help athletes of all types improve their performance.
Diving activities are also now supported, including Scuba Diving and Apnea Diving, along with various diving features like a depth gauge, dive planner, no-fly time tracking, and more.
#4 Mapping Features
Garmin Fenix 8 Solar
While both the AMOLED and Solar models support multi-continent TopoActive maps, the Fenix 8 AMOLED only offers it preloaded on the Sapphire Editions while the Fenix 8 Solar has it built-in preloaded on all variants.
TopoActive maps is a multi-use, routable topographic map optimized for outdoor activities and adventures. It is quite an essential feature for outdoor enthusiasts, so if you decide to go with a non-Sapphire Edition of the Fenix 8 AMOLED, then you'll need to separately purchase the TopoActive maps.
However, other maps like Golf Course Maps and SkiView maps are preloaded on every variant of both the Fenix 8 and Fenix 8 Solar, so there is no difference in these golf and ski-specific mapping features between the two models.
#5 Smartwatch Features
Garmin Fenix 8
One minor feature that the Fenix 8 AMOLED has that the Fenix 8 Solar does not is the Red Shift Mode, which is possible thanks to the AMOLED display on the Fenix 8 model. When enabled, the Red Shift Mode adjusts the entire watch interface to shades of red, green, or orange to reduce eye strain and prevent sleep cycle disturbances in low light conditions.
The rest of the daily smartwatch features like a built-in speaker and microphone, on-wrist texting and calling, offline voice assistant, music playback, and Garmin Pay are the same between the two.
Both the Fenix 8 and Fenix 8 Solar also have an integrated LED flashlight and a range of incident detection, assistance, and live tracking features that can be valuable for safety and emergency situations during outdoor adventures.
#6 Battery & Charging
Garmin Fenix 8 Solar
Thanks to the solar charging capability, Garmin Fenix 8 Solar has an edge in battery life that makes it suitable for outdoor adventures and expeditions that may last for days or even weeks without access to a power source.
With solar charging, the 51mm Fenix 8 Solar can last up to 48 days in smartwatch mode, 107 days in battery-saver smartwatch mode, or 149 hours with GPS-only GNSS mode.
But even without solar charging, the Fenix 8 Solar is still leading the standard Fenix 8 model in battery life. As a comparison, the 51mm Fenix 8 AMOLED can last up to 29 days in smartwatch mode and 84 hours in GPS-only mode. Meanwhile, the 51mm Fenix 8 Solar is rated for up to 30 days of runtime in smartwatch mode and up to 95 hours in GPS-only mode, which is still longer lasting even without solar charging.
Garmin Fenix 8 vs Fenix 8 Solar
Final Thoughts
Garmin Fenix 8
The Fenix 8 series offers a range of capabilities that cater to the diverse needs of outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. While the Fenix 8 AMOLED and Fenix 8 Solar share many core features, the solar charging capability of the Fenix 8 Solar sets it apart, providing extended battery life for those embarking on longer expeditions or activities where access to power may be limited.
The Fenix 8 Solar also has an advantage with a built-in TopoActive Map available on all its variants, while the Fenix 8 AMOLED only offers it preloaded on the Sapphire Editions. However, the Fenix 8 AMOLED offers a superior AMOLED display with features like Red Shift Mode, making it also a compelling choice.
If you like to read more on smartwatches, check out our other relevant guides here:
Garmin Fenix 8 vs Fenix 7
Garmin Fenix 8 vs Fenix 7 Pro
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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