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Garmin announced the fēnix 8 and Enduro 3 on August 27, 2024. The fēnix 8 added recreational scuba and apnea modes, a 40-meter dive rating, a speaker and microphone, an LED flashlight, and a choice of AMOLED or solar displays. The Enduro 3 launched at $899.99 in the US, $100 below the fēnix 8’s $999.99 starting price, and is built around dramatically longer battery life. The “Apple Watch Ultra-beating” description is too broad: Garmin’s integrated dive controls are a meaningful difference, but both watches are rated to 40 meters and Apple remains stronger as a connected smartwatch.
The August 27, 2024 launch in brief
Garmin’s announcement split its premium outdoor range into two clearer propositions. The fēnix 8 is the feature-rich multisport flagship, adding diving and wrist-based communication while offering more size and display choices. The Enduro 3 is the endurance specialist: one large, solar-assisted model designed to minimize charging during ultramarathons, expeditions and multiday adventures.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Garmin fēnix® 8, 47mm, Black | $749.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Garmin fēnix® 8 Pro, 51mm, Sapphire, DLC Titanium, Black/Pebble Gray | $1,196.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Garmin fēnix® 8, Sapphire, 43mm, Fog Gray/Dark Sandstone | $999.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Garmin fēnix® 8 Solar, Sapphire, 51mm, DLC Titanium, Black/Pebble Gray | $1,098.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Garmin fēnix® 8, 43mm, Whitestone | $799.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| Model | Configurations at launch | US launch price | Defining trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| fēnix 8 AMOLED | 43, 47 or 51 mm; AMOLED | From $999.99 | Brighter, more smartphone-like screen; shorter quoted endurance than solar versions |
| fēnix 8 Solar | 47 or 51 mm; solar-charging MIP | Varied by configuration | Outdoor endurance and solar charging, without AMOLED’s presentation |
| Enduro 3 | 51 mm only; solar MIP, titanium bezel and sapphire lens | $899.99 | Much longer battery life, but no diving, speaker, microphone or smaller case |
Those are launch prices, not guaranteed prices in 2026. Size, bezel, lens, display and region affect the final price. Check Garmin’s fēnix 8 product page and current retailer listings for present-day availability.
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What the fēnix 8 adds
Recreational scuba and apnea modes
The fēnix 8 is rated for recreational diving to 40 meters and adds dedicated scuba and apnea activities. Garmin specifies leakproof metal buttons and a depth sensor. Automatic dive start can be enabled, so the watch can begin recording when you descend rather than requiring a manual start.
#1 Best Overall
- Advanced multisport GPS smartwatch for athletes/adventurers features a bright 1.4” AMOLED display, stainless steel bezel, enhanced graphical interface and a built-in LED flashlight for after- dark visibility
- Power up your body’s performance, endurance and resistance to injury with targeted strength training plans, real-time stamina tracking, sport-specific workouts and a full range of built-in sports apps
- Battery performance: up to 16 days in smartwatch mode; up to 47 hours in GPS mode. Fits wrists with the following circumference: Silicone band: 125-208 mm UltraFit Band: 125-215 mm Leather Band: 132-210 mm Metal Band: 132-210 mm
- Your training readiness score is based on sleep quality, recovery, training load and HRV status to determine if you’re primed to go hard and reap the rewards (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- For your active lifestyle, a built-in speaker and mic let you make and take phone calls from your wrist when your watch is paired to your smartphone — and you can even use your smartphone’s voice assistant to respond to text messages and more
Its scuba settings go beyond a simple depth display. The watch can account for gas blend, PO₂ thresholds, water type, conservatism, safety-stop duration and pool mode. During a dive it can show no-decompression-limit information, safety-stop and decompression-stop guidance, and time-to-surface information. The details and menu behavior are documented in Garmin’s fēnix 8 owner’s manual.
The important depth-limit warning
Forty meters is the stated recreational rating; it is not permission for technical or unlimited deep diving. Garmin’s manual says that exceeding 45 meters causes depth reporting and decompression guidance to become unavailable. The scuba activity is then locked for 24 hours. That behavior matters more to a diver than a generic “dive computer” label.
Rank #2
- Multisport GPS smartwatch with built-in inReach technology for two-way satellite and LTE connectivity (active subscription required; coverage limitations may apply; some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices)
- Rugged design with a bright 1.4" AMOLED touchscreen display, titanium bezel, scratch-resistant sapphire lens and other premium materials
- In an emergency, inReach satellite technology allows you to trigger an interactive SOS message to the Garmin ResponseSM coordination center for 24/7 assistance (active subscription required; coverage limitations may apply; some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices)
- LTE network connectivity lets you leave your phone behind; use your watch to exchange messages and make voice calls — plus let friends follow along with LiveTrack location sharing (30-second update rate) and location check-ins with the on-device Garmin Messenger app (active subscription required; coverage limitations may apply)
- inReach technology allows you to send messages and get location check-ins over satellite when taking on an off-grid adventure (active subscription required; coverage limitations may apply; some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices)
Use the fēnix 8 within recognized recreational training limits, carry the instruments your certification and dive operator require, and keep appropriate backup equipment. Do not treat a recreational watch as the sole safety system, and do not infer support for technical, mixed-gas, rebreather or decompression-diving procedures unless Garmin’s documentation for the exact model and software explicitly says so.
Speaker, microphone and voice controls
The built-in speaker and microphone let the watch make and receive calls when paired with a compatible smartphone. Voice commands can perform selected actions such as starting an activity, setting a timer or saving a waypoint. They do not turn the watch into a fully independent cellular phone; Garmin’s launch material describes phone-paired calling.
Rank #3
- Advanced multisport GPS smartwatch for athletes/adventurers features a bright 1.3” AMOLED display with scratch-resistant sapphire lens, durable steel or titanium bezel and a built-in LED flashlight for after-dark visibility
- Power up your body’s performance, endurance and resistance to injury with targeted strength training plans, real-time stamina tracking, sport-specific workouts and a full range of built-in sports apps
- Battery performance: up to 10 days in smartwatch mode; up to 28 hours in GPS mode
- Your training readiness score is based on sleep quality, recovery, training load and HRV status to determine if you’re primed to go hard and reap the rewards (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- For your active lifestyle, a built-in speaker and mic let you make and take phone calls from your wrist when your watch is paired to your smartphone — and you can even use your smartphone’s voice assistant to respond to text messages and more
AMOLED or solar is a major choice
AMOLED gives the fēnix 8 a brighter, higher-impact presentation that resembles a modern smartwatch. Solar models use Garmin’s endurance-oriented memory-in-pixel display and solar charging. This is not a cosmetic trim decision: it changes readability preferences, case options and expected charging frequency.
Other practical additions
- Built-in LED flashlight.
- Advanced strength-training plans and sport-specific workouts.
- Dynamic round-trip routing and an updated map interface.
- Garmin Messenger support.
- Training readiness, endurance score, hill score and HRV status.
ECG and Pulse Ox availability varies by region, and health metrics are not medical diagnoses.
Rank #4
- Advanced multisport GPS smartwatch for athletes/adventurers features a 1.4” solar charged display with scratch-resistant sapphire lens, durable titanium bezel and built-in LED flashlight for after-dark visibility
- Battery performance: up to 48 days of battery life in smartwatch mode with solar charging (assumes all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions) and up to 149 hours in GPS mode with solar charging (assumes continuous use for entire period in 50,000 lux conditions) — all with an always-on display, so you’re ready to take on the toughest challenges
- Power up your body’s performance, endurance and resistance to injury with targeted strength training plans, real-time stamina tracking, sport-specific workouts and a full range of built-in sports apps
- Your training readiness score is based on sleep quality, recovery, training load and HRV status to determine if you’re primed to go hard and reap the rewards (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- For your active lifestyle, a built-in speaker and mic let you make and take phone calls from your wrist when your watch is paired to your smartphone — and you can even use your smartphone’s voice assistant to respond to text messages and more
Battery claims, with the mode attached
Garmin’s headline figures are maximum estimates under specified conditions. Always-on display, satellite selection, music, notifications, sensors, pulse oximetry and limited sunlight can materially reduce real-world endurance.
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| Watch and mode | Manufacturer estimate | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| fēnix 8 AMOLED 51 mm, smartwatch mode | Up to 29 days | Garmin estimate; actual life varies with display and connected features |
| fēnix 8 Solar 51 mm, smartwatch mode | Up to 48 days | Solar figure assumes Garmin’s stated outdoor-exposure conditions and usage |
| Enduro 3, GPS mode | Up to 320 hours | Manufacturer estimate; GPS settings and sensors change the result |
| Enduro 3, SatIQ conditions | Up to 120 hours | Garmin’s stated SatIQ scenario, not every satellite mode |
| Enduro 3, smartwatch mode | Up to 90 days | Manufacturer estimate, with solar and usage assumptions |
“Up to 48 days” and “90 days” are therefore not universal ownership promises. Compare like with like: smartwatch mode, GPS-only, all-systems, multi-band and SatIQ are different workloads.
Best Value
- Advanced multisport GPS smartwatch for athletes/adventurers features a bright 1.3” AMOLED display, stainless steel bezel, enhanced graphical interface and a built-in LED flashlight for after- dark visibility
- Power up your body’s performance, endurance and resistance to injury with targeted strength training plans, real-time stamina tracking, sport-specific workouts and a full range of built-in sports apps
- Battery performance: up to 10 days in smartwatch mode; up to 28 hours in GPS mode
- Your training readiness score is based on sleep quality, recovery, training load and HRV status to determine if you’re primed to go hard and reap the rewards (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- For your active lifestyle, a built-in speaker and mic let you make and take phone calls from your wrist when your watch is paired to your smartphone — and you can even use your smartphone’s voice assistant to respond to text messages and more
Does the fēnix 8 really beat Apple Watch Ultra for diving?
The strongest defensible conclusion is narrower than the launch headline. Garmin integrates dive activities and decompression-related controls into a multisport watch. Apple’s current Ultra 3 specification lists a 40-meter recreational dive rating, depth gauge, water-temperature sensor, automatic launch at 1 meter and the Dive Computer app. Depth rating alone is a draw.
| Capability | Garmin fēnix 8 | Apple Watch Ultra 3 (current specification) |
|---|---|---|
| Recreational depth | 40 m | 40 m |
| Dive activities | Scuba and apnea modes | Recreational dive mode through Apple’s Dive Computer app |
| Automatic start | Configurable automatic dive behavior | Automatic launch at 1 m |
| Dive controls | Gas blend, PO₂ thresholds, conservatism, safety and decompression-stop settings | Compare the installed app and watchOS version; equivalent controls should not be assumed |
| Phone relationship | Calls require a compatible paired smartphone according to Garmin’s launch material | Designed around iPhone integration; Apple lists iPhone 11 or later with iOS 26 or later for Ultra 3 |
| Broader identity | Multisport and outdoor watch with integrated dive tools | Connected smartwatch and safety platform with dive capability |
| Quoted battery | Up to 29 days (51 mm AMOLED) or 48 days (51 mm solar) in Garmin’s stated modes | Up to 42 hours normal use or 72 hours Low Power Mode, according to Apple |
See Apple’s official Ultra 3 specifications for the current compatibility and battery figures. Garmin’s advantage is an explicitly integrated dive workflow inside its training and navigation ecosystem, not proof that its decompression model, accuracy or safety is universally superior. Experienced divers should compare certification, gas support, decompression behavior, serviceability and backup-equipment requirements.
What the Enduro 3 is—and is not
The Enduro 3 is a deliberate alternative, not a complete fēnix 8 substitute. It comes only in a 51 mm case, weighs 63 g, and launched with a titanium bezel, sapphire lens and solar-charging MIP display. It includes TopoActive maps, dynamic round-trip routing, Garmin Messenger, Garmin Pay, downloadable music and an LED flashlight.
It shares much of Garmin’s endurance and navigation software, but has no speaker, no microphone and none of the fēnix 8’s dive functions. The 51 mm-only design also excludes people with smaller wrists or anyone who finds large watches uncomfortable.
Which watch fits each buyer?
Choose the fēnix 8 if you:
- Actually need recreational scuba or apnea tracking.
- Want integrated Garmin dive settings instead of an App Store-dependent dive workflow.
- Want wrist calls or voice commands with a paired phone.
- Need a 43 mm or 47 mm option, or want to choose AMOLED versus solar.
- Value Garmin’s broad training, mapping, golf and multisport feature set.
Choose the Enduro 3 if you:
- Prioritize the fewest possible charging stops for ultras, expeditions or multiday hikes.
- Prefer outdoor-readable MIP and solar assistance to AMOLED.
- Are comfortable wearing a 51 mm watch.
- Do not need diving, wrist calls or voice commands.
- Want the lower launch price, or find a later discount that widens the value gap.
Stay with Apple Watch Ultra if you:
- Use an iPhone and prioritize cellular, satellite, emergency features, messaging, payments and third-party apps.
- Want a polished general-purpose smartwatch and accept more frequent charging.
- Only need recreational diving and find Apple’s Dive Computer app adequate.
- Do not need Garmin’s long-duration battery, navigation depth or endurance-training ecosystem.
Important buying and safety caveats
- Depth rating is not dive-level permission: 40 meters does not make either watch suitable for technical diving.
- Respect the fēnix 8 lockout: beyond 45 meters, Garmin says guidance becomes unavailable and scuba is locked for 24 hours.
- Phone dependency matters: fēnix 8 paired-phone calling is not equivalent to a cellular Apple Watch.
- Solar needs sunlight: quoted solar endurance assumes exposure and usage conditions that may not match your routine.
- Size affects comfort: Enduro 3’s 51 mm-only case is a real exclusion, not a minor specification.
- Regional features differ: ECG, Pulse Ox, payment support and connected services depend on country, issuer and device configuration.
- Prices date from launch: the $999.99 fēnix 8 starting price and $899.99 Enduro 3 price were US figures announced in August 2024.
Bottom line
Garmin did not create one watch that simply replaces every Apple Watch Ultra use case. It created two distinct Garmin choices: the fēnix 8 is the versatile flagship with integrated recreational diving, communication hardware and display options; the Enduro 3 is the larger, cheaper endurance specialist with exceptional quoted battery life. Choose based on those hardware differences—not on the broader claim that one watch universally “beats” the other.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
