Garmin Fenix 8

There's a new member of the Garmin family: the long-awaited Fenix 8. This high-end GPS sports watch promises to take the series to new heights, combining great endurance and the state-of-the-art technology that are the main hallmarks of the American brand.

With high expectations, we at RUNNEA are waiting to see how the Garmin Fenix 8 is able to redefine our training routines: with advanced metrics that help us record and improve our performance for amateur and elite runners.

Photo: imaginary representation of the Garmin Fenix 8 (image created with artificial intelligence)

What are the expectations and new features of the Garmin Fenix 8?

The launch of the Garmin Fenix 8 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated events in the world of high-end heart rate monitors & sports watches. With the Garmin Fenix 7 setting the benchmark in terms of functionality and design, expectations for the Fenix 8 are very high. With rumors already circulating the web, we at RUNNEA break down what we expect from this new premium GPS sports watch:

Different sizes

Garmin has been a pioneer in offering inclusive options for athletes of all types and conditions, and we certainly expect no less from the Garmin Fenix 8.

Considering that its predecessor, the Garmin Fenix 7 is available in three different sizes (47mm standard; 42mm S; 51mm X), we're guessing that the Garmin Fenix 8 will continue to maintain these options.

Garmin watch resource photo (Facebook Garmin Iberia).

AMOLED and touch screen

The Garmin Fenix 7 broke the mold by introducing its touchscreen. For the Garmin Fenix 8, we expect to not only keep this feature but take it a step further, with the inclusion of an AMOLED display. The promise of a sharper, higher contrast display, similar to what was seen on the Garmin Epix 2 and Garmin Venu 2, is worthing keeping an eye on.

There is also speculation about the possibility of including animated workouts on screen, and also efforts on improving the readability of the maps. Details that will be of great added value.

Preloaded maps

The mapping and navigation section are the most important and outstanding sections of the Garmin Fenix series. Of course, bringing up the functionality of the Garmin fēnix 8 having ready to use  TopoActive maps would be a huge plus for outdoor adventure enthusiasts.

ECG sensors included?

It's true that there is a market trend for electrocardiogram (ECG) sensors, and we have yet to see one on a Garmin device (that's not entirely true because the Garmin Venus 2 Plus already has it included). However, some of the leaks suggest that this could soon change with the arrival of the Garmin Fenix 8. This means a significant advancement in heart health tracking.

Estimated release date of the Garmin Fenix 8

While nothing is set in stone yet, rumors point to a release in the summer of 2023, possibly during IFA Berlin in September 2023. This window of time has all of us in the RUNNEA community looking forward to it.

Photo of the Garmin Venu 2 Plus smart watches Garmin on Facebook)

User profile and recommended uses for the Garmin Fenix 8

The Garmin Fenix 8 is ideal for the most demanding athletes, especially those looking for a sports watch capable of keeping up with them, whether training in the city or exploring the mountains. Its rugged design and expected improvements in training and health metrics make it perfect for both elite athletes and enthusiasts who want to take their performance to the next level.

Pricing and availability

While not yet officially announced, we expect the Garmin Fenix 8 to stay in line with the pricing structure of its predecessors, offering standard models alongside premium variants that include more features and customisations in straps and watch faces. Expect a price that exceeds 750GBP for the standard version, and whose price will increase, if you opt for its Solar, Pro Solar, Sapphire Solar and Sapphire Solar versions.

As we said, the official launch date has not yet been announced, but everything suggests that the American brand will wait until next summer 2024, possible September to have the Garmin Fenix 8 available.

Awaiting the arrival of the Garmin Fenix 8

The Garmin Fenix 8 is shaping up to be the next big launch in the world of heart rate monitors & sports watches, promising not only to maintain the features that have made the fēnix series a favorite among athletes, but also to introduce significant improvements that make every workout a unique experience. With the expectation of new features and a possible improvement in design, the new Garmin Fenix 8 is expected to arrive to establish another leap in quality for premium sports smartwatches.

Stay tuned to RUNNEA, because we will tell you all the details of this expected launch of the new Garmin Fenix 8.