The Apple Watch Ultra 3 will be available in September, but those waiting for a top sports watch with an AMOLED display can get it in the two Garmin Fenix 8 models available today
The Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED replaces the Garmin Epix with a bright, smartwatch-style screen
Both versions of the Garmin Fenix 8 are available in 47mm and 51mm sizes, while the AMOLED watch has a smaller 43mm version All modes have built-in speakers and microphones, a new feature in the Fenix series
This allows users to activate their cell phone's voice assistant to perform certain tasks, such as setting a timer, or take voice notes All watches also have a built-in flashlight, and Garmin has made the Fenix 8 more durable than previous models by adding a sensor guard and a water leak-proof button
It has been tested to US military standards for heat, shock, and water resistance, can dive to depths of 40 meters, and has new scuba diving and apnea modes
On the software front, Garmin has released wristwatch-based strength training plans These are four-week to one-week programs that help users achieve various fitness goals, and there are also guided workouts designed for specific sports such as trail running and skiing
Garmin has also improved the navigation features of the Fenix 8, allowing users to customize the layers displayed on the map screen to make routes easier to follow With the new dynamic round-trip routing feature, users can set a target distance and the Fenix 8 will update and create a route back to the starting point on the move to achieve that distance
The choice within the Fenix 8 lineup is essentially the same as if you were currently choosing between the Garmin Epix Pro and the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro: the Fenix 8 AMOLED offers a brighter display and the Fenix 8 with solar panel has a longer battery life
The Fenix 8 AMOLED 51mm has up to 29 days of battery life with the screen up when it is out of sleep, while the Fenix 8 51mm has up to 48 days of battery life in sunny weather with the screen always on
If battery life is a concern, the Garmin Enudro 3, also available today, has a similar design to the Garmin Fenix 8 51mm model, but has even longer battery life, running up to 90 days in watch mode in sunny weather
The Fenix 8 series upgrade adds to the wealth of features available from Garmin's top watches, including top-notch sports tracking and training analysis, plus useful smart features such as music storage and NFC payments
No matter which version of the Fenix 8 you choose, the price is high: the Garmin Fenix 8 is priced from $99999/£94999 to $119999, depending on the size and material you choose
Garmin will also release the more affordable Fenix E, which omits some features of the Fenix 8, such as the speaker, microphone, and flashlight; the Fenix E measures only 47 mm and is not a diver's watch because it does not have the water leak prevention button found on the Fenix 8
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