Introduction

For weeks, I’ve been wearing the Garmin Fenix 8 (model number 010-02904-21), putting it through its paces in various scenarios—from intense workouts to everyday wear. This in-depth review covers every aspect of this rugged, feature-packed smartwatch, aiming to provide you with a comprehensive understanding before you make a purchase.

Features

The Fenix 8 boasts an impressive array of features. The standout is undoubtedly the stunning 1.4-inch AMOLED display, offering vibrant colours and excellent readability even in direct sunlight. The claimed battery life of up to 16 days is truly impressive and I found it to be very accurate under normal usage. Beyond that, it provides comprehensive fitness tracking, including heart rate monitoring, stress tracking, and a multitude of sports profiles. The built-in GPS is accurate and reliable, a crucial feature for outdoor activities. Offline voice commands are also a welcome addition, allowing for hands-free control. The addition of calling features, while not always used by me, is very handy, and the super-bright LED flashlight has proven unexpectedly useful on several occasions. The sapphire crystal is, as advertised, incredibly scratch resistant.

Performance

The Fenix 8’s performance is consistently excellent. The AMOLED display is a significant upgrade over previous models, providing a much more pleasant user experience. The GPS locked on quickly and accurately, even in challenging environments. Heart rate tracking was mostly accurate, though it occasionally strayed during intense workouts, a common occurrence amongst many fitness trackers. The fitness tracking metrics are comprehensive and easy to understand. The offline voice commands functioned flawlessly, and made controlling my music and setting timers much easier. The call function works well with minimal dropouts, providing good call clarity, though this was only tested with the latest Android and iPhone models. Battery life indeed lived up to its claim; I regularly achieved over 14 days on a single charge, even with moderate use of GPS and other power-hungry features.

Pros & Cons

Pros: AMOLED display, exceptional battery life, accurate GPS, comprehensive fitness tracking, offline voice commands, rugged design, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, calling features.

Cons: Occasional inaccuracies in heart rate tracking during strenuous activity, price point (it is a premium product), somewhat bulky for smaller wrists.

Final Verdict

The Garmin Fenix 8 (010-02904-21) is a premium smartwatch that delivers on its promises. The combination of long battery life, a vibrant AMOLED display, and robust fitness tracking makes it an excellent choice for serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. While the price might be a deterrent for some, the quality and performance justify the investment. I highly recommend the Fenix 8 to anyone seeking a top-tier smartwatch experience.