Garmin adds a number of features to make the Fenix ​​​​8 smarter

Garmin adds a number of features to make the Fenix ​​​​8 smarter

Garmin is back with two new rugged smartwatches: the all-new Fenix ​​8 and the Enduro 3. One of Garmin’s top flagships, the $999.99 Fenix ​​8 features a built-in speaker and microphone, as well as several new training features. The $899.99 Enduro 3 features an LED flashlight, as well as solar charging to extend battery life up to 320 hours in GPS mode.

If there’s a goal with the Fenix ​​8’s updates this time, it’s to make the device smarter while giving athletes more choices. For example, it now has a built-in speaker and microphone so you can make and receive calls from your wrist. You can also give voice commands, like “Set a timer for 5 minutes.” Voice commands also don’t require a connection to your phone.

This is nothing new in the Garmin ecosystem – the Venu 2 Plus was the first to have voice capabilities – but it wasn’t possible on the Fenix ​​line. Garmin is also adding a new Garmin Messenger app that lets you communicate with friends and family from your wrist. (The caveat is that both you and the person you’re texting need to have the Garmin Messenger app installed on your phones.)

The Fenix ​​​​8 is available as an OLED and solar charging model.
Image: Garmin

The Fenix ​​​​8 also lets you choose whether you want an OLED display or an always-on solar charging display. The former will be available in 43mm, 47mm and 51mm sizes, continuing Garmin’s trend of equipping all of its watches with OLED.

However, many outdoor enthusiasts prefer lower-power displays that last longer during activities. For those people, Garmin says the new solar display option is more effective this time around – although that always depends on usage. The solar models are available in 47mm and 51mm, with an estimated battery life of 29 and 48 days respectively. That’s significantly longer than the standard Fenix ​​8 models, which have 10 (43mm), 16 (47mm) or 29 (51mm) days.

In terms of design, the Fenix ​​8 also gets new sensor protection and “spill-proof” metal buttons. It will also have the fancy LED flashlights and ECG features that Garmin introduced on the Fenix ​​7 Pro and Epix Pro models last year. As for new fitness features, Garmin is adding advanced strength training with targeted 4-6 workout plans tailored to specific sports. It will also add diving features and a new mapping interface.

The Enduro 3 has solar charging and a flashlight.
Image: Garmin

Meanwhile, the Enduro 3 is getting some of the same updates. Namely the built-in flashlight, the expanded strength training plans, the Garmin Messenger app, ECGs and now solar charging. The solar charging makes sense for the Enduro line, which, as the name suggests, is aimed at ultra-endurance athletes. The solar lens is said to achieve up to 320 hours of GPS in GPS mode and 120 hours with the more power-intensive dual-frequency GPS.

Both the Fenix ​​8 and Enduro 3 are available starting today. The Fenix ​​8 starts at $999.99, but some models can cost as much as $1199.99. The Enduro 3 costs $899.99.

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