Garmin releases new Fenix 8 smartwatches with voice assistant
The Garmin Fenix 8 and Fenix 8 Solar smartwatches are now available worldwide. The launch follows weeks of leaks, revealing many of the wearables' specifications. Now, product listings on Garmin's website confirm the differences between the two watches.
The Fenix 8 is available with a 43mm, 47mm or 51mm watch face. Each has an AMOLED display, with the 47mm watch featuring a 1.4-inch (43mm) screen with a 454 x 454 px resolution, covered by Gorilla Glass or Sapphire Glass. By comparison, the Solar model is only offered in 47mm and 51mm sizes. The smaller version has a 1.3-inch MIP LCD with a 260 x 260 px resolution, protected by Power Sapphire Glass. The Fenix 8 is relatively thin, measuring 13.7-14.7 mm thick, slimmer than the 14.5-14.9 mm Fenix 7 Pro Solar. However, the Fenix 8 Solar is slightly bulkier at 15.2 mm.
The Fenix 8 is said to run for up to 16 days in smartwatch mode, while solar charging provides an additional five days of battery life; Garmin claims that the technology used delivers 50% more solar energy than older models. Compared to predecessors, feature upgrades include targeted strength training based on a chosen sport, Garmin Share, and QZSS and BEIDOU positioning system connectivity. A built-in speaker and microphone allow you to control the watch with voice commands, even when offline. On top of this, there is support for diving activities at depths of up to 40m (~131 ft), with leakproof buttons to protect the wearables. Both models also offer SatIQ Technology, a built-in LED flashlight, an ECG app, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, and 32GB storage.
You can now buy the Garmin Fenix 8 with prices ranging from $999.99/£869.99/€999.99 to $1,199.99/£1,119.99/€1,299.99. Meanwhile, the Fenix 8 Solar costs between $1,099.99/£949.99/€1,099.99 and $1,199.99/£1,039.99/€1,199.99.
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