All the things it’s essential to think about when selecting between Fenix 8 and Fenix 7.
Over six months have handed since Garmin unveiled the Fenix 8, giving us loads of time to check all its key variations from the last-gen Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Professional.
Launched in 2022, the Fenix 7 stays an impressive look ahead to outside adventurers and people critical about monitoring their health. With notable upgrades within the sensor accuracy and the addition of a built-in flashlight, the Fenix 7 Pro (launched in 2023) can also be a prime watch to contemplate.
But, the attract of a brand new Fenix is difficult to flee – and Garmin made some vital adjustments for the most recent era. A revamped UI helps align the Fenix 8 vary with the most recent Forerunners, and there’s additionally a brighter flashlight and a speaker/mic array with assistant assist.
However which is greatest in 2025 and past? Effectively, we now have enough expertise with each of those Garmin Fenix generations to supply an up to date evaluation. Listed here are the eight greatest components to contemplate when selecting between the Fenix 8 and Fenix 7/7 Professional.
1. Value
After all, it’s not shocking that the Fenix 8 vary is dearer than the Fenix 7 fashions, however that is barely confused by the actual fact the show varieties have additionally modified between generations.
This makes evaluating throughout the strains slightly extra difficult—and it’s tough sufficient, given that every era typically has double-digit mannequin variations.
What we do know, although, is that Garmin’s MSRP for the Fenix 8 collection begins at a reasonably eye-popping $999. That additionally jumps to $1,099 for the 43mm/47mm sapphire fashions and $1,199 for the sapphire editions of the 51mm mannequin.
The Fenix 7 was accessible for as little as $429/£449 after we checked in February 2025. The Professional fashions are a bit dearer at $649-$749/£629-£739.
There’s been a discount of roughly $100/£100 throughout the board on Fenix 7 fashions within the six months for the reason that Fenix 8 was launched. Nonetheless, inventory is of course now more durable to return by.
You possibly can test the most recent costs under and take a look at our best Garmin Fenix deals tracker.
2. Select between AMOLED and MIP
Probably the most vital change for the Fenix 8 era is undoubtedly Garmin’s overhaul of the show choices. This choice has successfully seen the demise of the Epix vary.
If you need an AMOLED model of the Fenix 7/Fenix 7 Professional, think about the Epix (Gen 2) or Epix Professional (Gen 2). Save for some minor quirks and the shows – defined on this Garmin Fenix 7 Pro vs. Epix Pro (Gen 2) guide – these are the identical watches.
Nonetheless, for the Fenix 8, you now not select between Fenix and Epix. The Epix has been ditched and is now a part of the Fenix 8 household, although not on the expense of the basic memory-in-pixel fashions.
In case you favor the old-school expertise, Garmin has retained the MIP panel accessible on the Fenix 7 and seven Professional. As with the latter launch, the photo voltaic charging characteristic continues to be normal (on the 47mm and 51mm fashions; extra under).
To summarize, there at the moment are 5 normal Fenix 8 watches to select from as an alternative of the standard three: three sizes of Fenix 8 AMOLED and two sizes of Fenix 8 Photo voltaic (MIP).
Obtained all that? Good, as a result of Garmin has thrown in one other curveball…
3. Don’t get caught out by adjustments to Fenix ‘S’ fashions
For the reason that Garmin Fenix 5 launched, followers may choose between 42mm, 47mm, and 51mm case sizes, with the smaller and bigger variations denoted by ‘S’ and ‘X’ tags.
For the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Professional strains, that’s the selection of sizes.
Nonetheless, with the Fenix 8, Garmin quietly elevated the scale of the smallest mannequin to 43mm—and it’s now solely accessible in case you select the AMOLED mannequin. The Photo voltaic version/MIP mannequin begins at 47mm.
4. New options from different units that gained’t trickle down
After asserting quite a few new run-focused options for the Forerunner 970 and Forerunner 570, it additionally emerged that a lot of them will trickle over to the Fenix 8 lineup (and its derivatives).
For these not accustomed to these just-announced options, they embrace ‘Working Tolerance’ (which helps customers keep away from overtraining by estimating the restrict of their weekly output) and Affect Load Issue (an evaluation of the ‘actual’ mileage toll on the physique).
These with a paired HRM 600 may even have the ability to entry ‘Step Pace Loss’ (proven above) and ‘Working Economic system’ (a measure of working type effectivity).
That’s all good news for Fenix 8 followers, even when there’s presently no agency date set for when they are going to be accessible. Nonetheless, it appears fairly clear that the last-gen Fenix household gained’t be receiving the brand new performance.
5. Sturdiness specs
The Fenix vary has at all times boasted a rugged look and specs to match. The ten ATM water resistance score, titanium case, and choice of a sapphire crystal glass show have ensured that we’ve by no means skilled vital bumps, scrapes, or scratches throughout long-term testing of the Fenix 7 Professional.
But, Garmin has bumped issues up barely for the Fenix 8. Every mannequin now options leakproof metallic buttons as normal, in addition to a brand new sensor guard. This now encompasses extra of the case’s proper edge, proven above, slightly than across the ‘Begin/Cease’ button on the Fenix 7 collection.
We don’t suspect this can be a dealbreaker for many, however it’s a worthy motive to improve in case you plan on routinely utilizing your Fenix in outside water situations like diving.
6. Working system skins
One among our nice needs for the Fenix 8 vary was that Garmin would swap from its ‘outside’ working system to that seen within the AMOLED Forerunner vary, just like the Forerunner 970 and Forerunner 570.
That was granted, with Garmin citing ‘improved graphics’ for the most recent fashions that match what we’ve seen in its fashionable working watches.
We don’t have something towards the Fenix 7/Fenix 7 Professional’s (and Epix Gen 2) pores and skin, however graphics like Morning Report and the record of glances are far more primary and don’t pop in fairly the identical means as they do on the Fenix 8.
It’s a superficial distinction. Nonetheless, from our expertise over the past couple of years utilizing each skins, we’d grade it as one of many greatest differentiators in every day use with these units.
It’s not a change slated to roll again in a software program replace to the Fenix 7 collection, both.
7. Power coaching and mapping
Garmin usually throws within the odd unique software program cherry for every new era. For the Fenix 7 Professional, the final replace, we noticed Endurance Score and Hill Score debut earlier than rolling again to different premium Garmin watches.
For the Fenix 8, this has taken the type of guided power packages and improved mapping. The previous includes 4-6-week, customized follow-along exercises designed to assist athletes like path runners, surfers, and others meet their targets.
The mapping adjustments, in the meantime, are primarily right down to that new pores and skin. Garmin says the interface permits customers to view terrain contours on the TopoActive maps, customise map layers, and revel in simpler round-trip routing. Recommended routes additionally characteristic.
None of those Fenix 8s have since been rolled again to the Fenix 7 era. Given {that a} December 2024 update from Garmin introduced a few of these options to premium Forerunner units however not the Fenix 7 vary, it’s not within the plans.
8. Communication and voice instructions
Surprisingly, the Fenix 7 collection doesn’t have a built-in speaker or microphone. As a substitute, you will need to pair headphones to obtain readouts about guided exercises, lap occasions, or different updates.
It’s an omission that’s by no means significantly bothered us, however, both means, it’s modified for the Fenix 8. As normal, every mannequin comes with a speaker and microphone. This not solely allows suggestions concerning exercises however opens up voice instructions, too.
Irrespective of which mannequin you select, setting timers, beginning exercises, and lots else is now attainable. And also you gained’t must have your telephone related for this to work, which is an actual boon.
In reality, we’ve barely used the speaker characteristic within the six months we’ve been sporting the Fenix 8—primarily as a result of at all times pairing headphones for exercises. Nonetheless, the novel inclusion of sensible instructions can typically show helpful (and ups the road’s in any other case paltry smarts).
9. Photo voltaic charging
Garmin says that the Fenix 8 is far more able to harnessing the solar’s power than the Fenix 7. The 51mm has improved on this regard by 50%.
We’ve examined the Fenix 7 Professional Photo voltaic 47mm and different Garmin units with the characteristic however stay unconvinced it’s a beneficial addition.
That photo voltaic panel has to spend so much of time in direct daylight to have any significant influence on battery life. In case you spend upwards of 10 hours in these sorts of situations, it is perhaps an element. But in addition, if endurance means a lot to you, think about the Garmin Enduro 3.
Word, too, that this characteristic isn’t provided for the 43mm Fenix 8. In case you favor a smaller Fenix mannequin with photo voltaic assist, think about the Fenix 7S or 7S Professional.
Verdict: Fenix 8 vs. Fenix 7/7 Professional
Six months on from the launch of the Fenix 8, we nonetheless consider it’s the superior watch.
When you’ve lived with the improved OS, flashlight, and mapping assist, returning to the Fenix 7 is tough. The brand new mannequin is the perfect Garmin watch cash should purchase in 2025.
But, that doesn’t imply it’s your best option for everyone.
We’ve skilled some critical teething points with Fenix 8 bugs since launch, and a few nonetheless sometimes rear their head. Plus, the actual fact stays that many of the options of the Fenix 8 can be found on the Fenix 7 for lower than half the worth of some fashions.
It’s the same equation for the Fenix 7 Professional, which boasts the identical optical sensor and flashlight capabilities because the Fenix 8—once more, for a lot much less cash.
