Garmin has officially announced two highly anticipated additions to their wristwatch lineup: the Garmin Fenix 8 and the Garmin Enduro 3. Both models are loaded with novel features and are prepared to set new benchmarks in the smartwatch business, particularly among fitness aficionados and outdoor adventurers.
Garmin Fenix 8: A Potential Apple Watch Ultra-Beater?
Image Credits: Garmin Rumors
The Garmin Fenix 8 is getting a lot of attention, and with good reason. This watch comes in three sizes—43mm, 47mm, and 51mm—with two screen configurations.
You can select between a vivid AMOLED screen for a clear display and a more power-efficient memory-in-pixel (MIP) screen with solar charging capabilities thanks to Garmin’s Power Glass technology. The AMOLED variants provide up to 29 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, while the MIP versions can last an amazing 48 days, even with the always-on display enabled.
One of the Fenix 8’s notable features is its dive mode. This watch may now be used as a dive computer, capable of plunging up to 40 meters underwater.
According to Jon Hosler, Fenix 8 Product Manager, the watch’s leakproof buttons ensure consistent performance even at such depths. This makes the Fenix 8 more than simply a smartwatch; it’s also a valuable tool for scuba divers.
In terms of durability, Garmin provides models with titanium bezels and sapphire glass, ensuring that the watch can survive extreme situations. Additional hardware features include an LED flashlight (taken from the Garmin Epix Pro), a new speaker, and a microphone for short calls or setting commands such as timers.
For fitness fanatics, the Fenix 8 includes improved strength training modes and additional mapping capabilities. One interesting feature is “dynamic round trip routing,” which proposes ways to return to your starting location when you’re about 40% of the way through a run. This is especially helpful for trail runners and hikers who may miss their way.
The Garmin Fenix 8 is currently available for pre-order, with prices starting at $999.99 in the United States and £869.99 in the United Kingdom. Although costs for the Australian market have yet to be determined, this watch is expected to be a high-end option in Garmin’s selection.
Garmin Enduro 3: The Ultimate Endurance Race Tool
Image Credits: the5krunner
The Garmin Enduro 3 is another exciting product, ideal for endurance racers who want to test their limits. The Enduro 3 weighs just 63g, making it lighter than its predecessor, the Enduro 2, which weighed 70g.
Despite the weight reduction, it keeps several of the Fenix 8’s impressive features, like dynamic round trip routing, a built-in LED flashlight, and preloaded TopoActive maps.
The Enduro 3 is only available in 51mm size and features a titanium bezel and scratch-resistant sapphire lens.
Its MIP screen also has solar charging technology, which provides an incredible 320 hours of battery life in GPS mode and up to 90 days in wristwatch mode. Furthermore, Garmin’s SatIQ technology provides greater positioning accuracy for up to 120 hours by automatically switching between GPS modes.
The Enduro 3 also includes Garmin Messenger, an instant messaging widget that enables contact even in distant places. Other capabilities include Garmin Pay and the option to download songs from streaming services such as Spotify and Deezer, allowing you to listen without your phone.
However, unlike the Fenix 8, the Enduro 3 lacks a microphone and speaker, emphasizing its emphasis on endurance activities over everyday use.
The Garmin Enduro 3 is also available for pre-order at $899.99 in the United States and £769.99 in the United Kingdom, with Australian pricing to be confirmed.
Conclusion
Both the Garmin Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 are expected to be game changers in the smartwatch market. The Fenix 8, with its diverse features and dive mode, positions itself as a strong challenger to the Apple Watch Ultra, while the Enduro 3 builds on Garmin’s heritage of offering high-quality equipment for endurance athletes.
These watches have something for everyone, whether you’re a tech buff, a fitness fanatic, or someone who enjoys spending time outside. Pre-orders are now open, indicating that Garmin is preparing to dominate the smartwatch market once more.
