Garmin Fenix 8 Series Launches In India With Astonishing Battery Life

Garmin has always resonated with hardcore fitness enthusiasts in the country. Hence, in the wake of the upcoming festive season where being fit is encouraged more than ever, Garmin has utilised the occasion to bring its Fenix 8 series of smartwatches to our shores. At first glance, the Fenix 8 could dampen the desirability of the recently refreshed Apple Watch Ultra 2. 

The Fenix 8 series prioritises a rugged approach to fitness tracking while offering all the crucial smart features we come to expect from premium smartwatches. Similar to the global lineup, the Fenix 8 series comes in three core variants – the Fenix SE followed by the Fenix 8 AMOLED and the Fenix 8 Solar. While the Fenix SE is available in only a single size, the Fenix 8 AMOLED and Solar variants are available in multiple sizes.

Regardless of the variant you choose, Garmin has a plethora of health and fitness tracking features for pleasing gym goers and enthusiasts. The pricing may not be to everyone’s liking but there’s a lot on offer here. The Fenix 8 range begins from INR 86,990, undercutting the most affordable Apple Watch Ultra 2. 

Who said the premium smartwatch category lacks options?

Hence, if you were planning to upgrade your fitness tracking gear this festive season, join us as we explore the nitty-gritties of Garmin’s fitness-centric smartwatches. 

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Garmin Fenix 8 series: Exploring the highlights 

The Garmin Fenix 8 series brings a lot of fitness tracking features to the table. Whether you choose the variant with an AMOLED display of the Solar variant, here are some of the common perks you get to enjoy with these smartwatches.

- Advanced strength training

With the Fenix 8 series, users can work on building their core strength with focused 4-6-week strength training plans. Users can also rely on the onboard sport-specific workouts for athletes of all genres like trail runners, surfers, skiers and more.

- A cutting-edge dive computer

Divers can wear the Fenix 8 watches up to 40-metre depths and keep an eye on their health metrics while engaging in scuba activities. The watches’ leak proof metal buttons and the rugged body ensure class-leading durability. 

- Garmin Messenger is built in

Whichever variant you choose, the Fenix 8 can be used to send text messages from the device when in the vicinity of LTE and Wi-Fi networks. The app can be used to communicate with family and friends.

- Advanced navigation

Similar to the Apple Watch Ultra 2, the Garmin Fenix 8 series offers onboard navigation. You get Garmin’s Topp Active map service that shows terrain contours for easy exploration. Additionally, you also get preloaded maps for numerous gold courses and ski resorts from around the world.  The new app interface now allows users to receive suggested routes for staying on track and get an idea on how much time it would take for a round-trip route.

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- The usual array of garmin health tracking features like blood oxygen saturation monitoring, calories, stress and heart rate tracking are available on these watches. With additional services like PacePro, ClimbPro and Garmin’s Coach plans, athletes can keep track of their health metrics while doing complex workouts. 

- The onboard speaker and microphone setup allows the user to make and receive phone calls when paired with a smartphone. Although you don’t get access to your phone’s voice assistant, the Garmin’s onboard voice commands allow for easy controls. 

- For outdoor exploration, the LED flashlight with variable brightness and colours could help navigating dark environments. 

Garmin Fenix 8 battery life

Garmin’s watches are unbeatable in the segment when it comes to battery life. For those choosing the AMOLED variants, the Fenix 8 43mm promises up to 10 days of stamina whereas the 47mm variant offers up to 16 days of stamina. The 51mm variant with the largest battery offers up to 29 days of stamina. 

The Fenix 8 Solar variant offer greater stamina, courtesy of the solar charging lens. The Fenix 8 Solar 47mm offers up to 28 days of stamina whereas the larger 51mm variant can keep itself alive up to 48 days. Note that the solar charging requires continuous exposure to sunlight. 

What about the Garmin Fenix SE?

Think of this as the Apple Watch SE of Garmin’s Fenix smartwatch lineup. The Fenix SE is essentially a watered down version of the Fenix 8 that focuses only on the essentials. 

The Fenix SE features a bright 1.3-inch AMOLED display and a stainless steel bezel. In the smartwatch mode, the Fenix SE offers up to 16 days of battery life. Similar to the Fenix 8 watches, users can access targeted strength training plans and built-in sports apps. The watch can also keep an eye on heart rate, respiration, stress, sleep and more.

Explorers can download the TopoActive maps when in the range of Wi-Fi networks while the dynamic round-trip routing feature allows custom GPS-based map tracking. It also supports smart notifications and Garmin Pay services. 

Garmin Fenix 8, Fenix SE pricing

The Garmin Fenix 8 series starts at INR 86,990 for the base 43mm variant. The prices of the rest of the variants are yet to be revealed.