The ideal companion for athletes and adventure lovers

I had the opportunity to test the Garmin Fenix ​​8 for several weeks, and as I explored each feature, I came to the conclusion that this smartwatch is a reliable partner for any type of physical activity.

To give you a clearer idea of ​​this model, I’ll share with you my impressions from the time I tested the 51MM variant, plus the detailed specifications that make it really special.

Garmin Fenix ​​8: Rugged and stylish

The first thing that caught my attention when I first got my hands on this smartwatch was its design.

It’s clear that Garmin has crafted a watch that not only looks good, but also withstands extreme conditions.

The titanium frame gives it a sleek and premium look. The 1.4-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 280 x 280 pixels and always-on technology uses a MIP display. I had no problems with visibility, even when looking at the screen in direct sunlight.

The screen is protected by a layer of sapphire, which makes it much more resistant to scratches than other smartwatches in the same price range.

The colors are vibrant and the text is easy to read. I didn’t notice any lag when accessing the various features it is equipped with.

There is now a wider selection of watch faces, and they are much easier to customize from the dedicated app.

The watch is available in several color and material options, which will allow you to choose a model that suits your personal style. The black silicone strap is comfortable and easy to adjust.

Performance and features

The Garmin Fenix ​​8 isn’t just a good-looking watch, it’s also extremely powerful, with plenty of advanced features for tracking your fitness activities.

Whether you’re running on paved roads, hiking mountain trails or swimming in the pool, the watch will help you track every detail of your workouts.

This model comes with over 30 pre-installed sports modes including running, cycling, swimming, hiking, skiing and more.

Running mode, for example, is very detailed: it provides information on pace, distance, steps, heart rate variability and even VO2 max (an indicator of cardiovascular performance).

The watch also has an advanced GPS system that is much more accurate than any other smartwatch I’ve used so far. During mountain hikes you will notice that the routes are followed with great precision and the watch will give you clear directions so you don’t get lost.

In addition, the company has also integrated an altitude tracking function and improved water protection, now allowing diving to a depth of 40 meters.

In addition to the touchscreen, the watch also includes the five characteristic buttons, which are now water resistant. They give you the option of using either the touchscreen or the buttons, or a combination of both, to do almost anything easily and quickly.

Autonomy worthy of praise

Another strong point of the watch is the battery life. During testing, I was able to get about 12 days with moderate use (step counting, sleep monitoring, and blood oxygen measurement).

As I mentioned about sleep: this smart watch offers, in addition to the usual reports related to the quality of the time spent in bed, also information on the quality of the body’s regeneration.

By the time I turned on the GPS mode, the battery lasted about a day.

But let’s not forget about fast charging. Even after heavy use, the battery was fully charged in about 1 hour, which is a big advantage when you need the watch for long-term activity.

Garmin Fenix ​​8: Health monitoring and safety features

This device is not only a sports watch, but also a complete health monitoring tool.

In addition to heart rate sensors, the Fenix ​​8 includes SpO2 (blood oxygen level) and stress monitoring, both of which are extremely useful for better understanding your overall health.

In addition, the watch comes with a feature called “Incident Detection”, which can send an emergency alert to your contacts in case of an accident. This function is useful for those who practice extreme sports or for those who spend a lot of time in nature, far from civilization.

The LED flashlight is also welcome. The intensity of the light can be adjusted according to needs and for added safety there is also a red light.

A complete experience for sportsmen and adventurers

The Garmin Fenix ​​8 watch is truly a complete device that offers much more than simple activity monitoring.

In addition to everyday activities, the watch can also be used for outdoor exploration, perfect for those who prefer trekking, climbing or even sailing.

Another thing that impressed me was the integration with the Garmin Connect app. Here you can set your goals, compare your progress and receive personalized recommendations to improve your performance.

Other strengths

The company added a speaker and microphone so I could answer calls right from my wrist, although I had to have the phone on me. In addition, I could also listen to my Spotify playlists, even offline.

Voice commands helped me turn on airplane mode, find my phone, adjust brightness, and more.

When I pressed the watch’s top-right button, I was brought to a screen with activities and a few favorite sports modes pinned, on top of a list of other tools I could customize, such as Maps, Phone, Music, etc.

Garmin Fenix ​​8 also includes the option of contactless payments.

Conclusion

The Garmin Fenix ​​8 is truly a watch for those who take sports and outdoor adventures seriously. With an elegant design, a wide range of functions for monitoring physical activities, highly accurate GPS and excellent autonomy, this watch revives the desire to get out of the comfort zone and explore new limits.

If you are looking for a smart watch that not only provides you with information about your health and performance, but also a reliable partner in your adventures, the Garmin Fenix ​​8 is a choice that I recommend with confidence.

Garmin Fenix ​​8: Price

The variant that I tested can be purchased from the official Garmin website for 5,949 lei.