First Garmin Fenix 8 leaks hint at release date and more for Apple Watch Ultra rival
The first details about the Garmin Fenix 8 have reportedly leaked via an early listing on a Finnish online store, and the release dates also appear to have been confirmed.
The Garmin Fenix 7 and its brother with an AMOLED screen, the Garmin Epix Proare still considered some of the best garmin watches ever released, and we’ve been waiting for news of a Garmin Fenix 8 for years. Leaker Florian van de Fitness Tracker Test According to reports, the website discovered the leak on the storefront of Finnish outlet center Multitronic, which claims the new watch will be released in September 2024.
The alleged leak also lists the Fenix 8 in 43mm, 47mm, and 51mm sizes, which match the sizes of the Fenix 7 (I’m currently wearing an Epix in 47mm as I type this), and in “slate grey steel” and “black” color options with the prefix “w/blk bnd,” presumably meaning “with black strap.”
Florian writes that he thinks the Epix brand name will disappear and that the Fenix 8 will have an AMOLED display as standard, compared to the current low-poly MIP display of the Fenix.
Florian also hints at possible pricing details on his blog, as well as a cheaper Fenix model with that MIP display to lower the initial cost, which is being called the Garmin Fenix E. The Multitronic leak doesn’t confirm any details beyond the dates and model information shared above, however.
What We Want to See from the Garmin Fenix 8
Let’s get this out of the way right away: the Garmin Epix Pro is perhaps the best premium running watch on the market, and my favorite running watch. It’s awesome, and does everything from a running perspective.
A Fenix 8 update should see a slightly updated AMOLED display in line with the more recent Garmin Forerunner series, an updated heart rate sensor for greater accuracy, and (perhaps inevitably) bring some kind of AI element to Garmin Connect to compete with the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and other adventure watches.
Garmin already makes extensive use of advanced personalization algorithms to recommend daily workouts, generate routes for runs and rides, and create training programs. The use of AI will only make these processes more efficient and faster, and allow for additional details and information to be added.
A Solar model with Garmin’s Power Glass technology (which extends battery life) would also be great – if Garmin can make its Power Glass work with an AMOLED display.