assure by Garmin to be the most subject lineup of premium multisport GPS smartwatches , the brand has just launched its fresh Fenix 8 serial .
The Fenix 8 batting order sees a promising upgrade from its forerunner , theFenix 7 , and comes just month after Samsung set in motion its late premium smartwatch , theGalaxy Watch Ultra , which we give a solid four - star military rank for its bluff intent and precise workout trailing .
With that in mind , how do the two smartwatches compare ? We ’ve list the cardinal differences between them , such as their various battery living , GPS dog capability and versatility , below .
Price
The Garmin Fenix 8 serial has a set forth RRP of £ 869.99/$999.99 for the 43 millimetre model with an AMOLED watchface , however this price will increase depending on your size choice and screen preference .
TheSamsung Galaxy Watch Ultrahas a gimcrack RRP of £ 599/$649.99 and is only available in a 47 mm size .
The Garmin Fenix 8 is available in two screen choices
The Fenix 8 series is available with a choice between two displays , a bright AMOLED screen or a low - power storage - in - Pixel display with a solar buck lens system . The AMOLED Fenix 8 is available in three sizes , 43 mm , 47 mm or 51 mm while the solar charging option is usable in just 47 mm or 51 mm .
One of the primary benefits of the solar charging selection is you may effortlessly stretch out your battery life , merely by being outside . Although Garmin says solar charging is not intend to be the primary point origin , it ’s able to give you a hike of might without compromising on the watch ’s functionality .
Otherwise , the Galaxy Watch Ultra just has one screen choice , and although it does n’t boast any solar tear art , it is a very bright Super AMOLED .
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra has a double pinch function
A utile feature for control your watch while you ’re working out or on a run , the Galaxy Watch Ultra has a dual catch shortcut . alike to Apple’sDouble Tap , plainly pinch your thumb and indicant finger on your sentry - wear out hand to answer outcry , control your music or silence alarms , without need to interact with the covert .
If you pair your Galaxy Watch Ultra with a compatible Samsung Galaxy handset then you could also expend two-fold pinch to captivate photograph too .
The Garmin Fenix 8 is compatible with both iPhone and Android
Although the Galaxy Ultra can be paired with other Android smartphones and not just those from Samsung , it will not put to work with any iPhone . On the other hand , the Fenix 8 serial is compatible with both iPhones and Androids , urinate it the more various option of the two .
Of course , the Watch Ultra , thanks to Wear OS , has far more sassy feature and app support , giving you more casual functionality on your wrist . This is n’t to say that the Fenix 8 is grieving of overbold feature article ; you may message the great unwashed viaGarmin Messengerand even download music to listen to offline via divine service like Spotify and Amazon Music .
The Garmin Fenix 8 uses SatIQ technology
Both smartwatches employ GPS applied science , with the Galaxy Watch Ultra using dual - frequency GPS which incorporates L1 and L5 oftenness bands to accurately tag you , even through densely pack urban spaces .
The Fenix 8 uses SatIQ technology and multi - band GPS for its trailing . Garmin ’s own SatIQ technology determines the optimum GPS mode of your smartwatch , based on your surroundings . This control you ’re always accurately track without wasting too much of the battery aliveness .
For example , if you ’re in a dumbly packed domain then SatIQ will automatically flip to a solid Multiband GNSS whereas if you ’re in an undecided infinite , a low power GPS fashion will be enabled so as to maximal battery life without compromising on positional accuracy .
The Garmin Fenix 8 has a much longer battery life
One of the biggest advantages of a Garmin smartwatch comes from its telling battery life and the Fenix 8 series is no exception . Garmin claim its 51 millimeter AMOLED Fenix 8 can last for up to 29 - days when in smartwatch mode , while the 51 mm solar model offers up to a whopping 48 - days .
The Galaxy Watch Ultra falls inadequate in comparison and offers only days rather than weeks of battery between charge . With its always - on display on , you’re able to ask up to 60 hours of usage sentence while Power Saving manner offer up to 100 hours .
Early Verdict
Perhaps the most influential factor in making your decision between the Garmin Fenix 8 series and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra will do from your smartphone , as the latter is not compatible with Io while the former is . If you do have an iPhone , then the Fenix 8 series is the only feasible choice between the two .
On the other hand , the Galaxy Watch Ultra is much cheaper than the Fenix 8 and is still a tireless health and fitness tracker , although it does lack some of the more premium tool such as a diving rating .
