First leaked images of the Garmin Fenix 8 point to the arrival of a cheaper Fenix E
The Garmin Fenix 8 is one of the most anticipated sports watches of the year, and a new leaked image has given us some idea of what to expect from its Apple Watch Ultra rival, including the possibility of a cheaper version.
The images are from WinFuture and reveal what appears to be the Garmin Fenix 8 (Solar), Garmin Enduro 3 and the mysterious new Garmin Fenix E, which was previously mentioned in a leak from Fitness Tracker Test.
While we don’t have full specs yet, the leak suggests that these will be the first Fenix watches to feature AMOLED displays, rather than MiP (memory in the pixel). The benefits of AMOLED include improved visibility (because the display emits its own light), more natural colors (thanks to a wider color gamut), and faster refresh rates.
The downside is that AMOLED displays consume more power than MIP displays (especially in always-on mode), so if you prefer that type of display you might be more interested in the Garmin Fenix E. This leak suggests that the Fenix E will sit below the Fenix 8 series, and thus use the older MiP technology.
It appears that the Fenix E will only come in a single 47mm case size, which may make it less appealing to those with larger wrists. However, the Fenix 8 (Solar) is expected to come in both 47mm and 51mm sizes. An Enduro 3 model is also expected to come in a single 51mm case size.
These dimensions somewhat contradict the Fenix 8 rumors we saw last month, which suggested the watch would come in three sizes, including a smaller 43mm version (similar to the 42mm Garmin Fenix 7S).
Still, we won’t have to wait long for official details: the Fenix 8, Fenix E and Enduro 3 will all be officially launched at IFA 2024, which kicks off on September 6.
Goodbye Epix?
These leaks seem to confirm previous rumors that Garmin is planning to discontinue its Epix series. That would make sense, considering the Garmin Epix (Gen 2) was essentially a Fenix 7 with an AMOLED touchscreen.
Instead, it looks like we’re getting a merging of the two lines, with the Fenix 8 launching in the usual standard, solar and sapphire solar versions with the new AMOLED display, and the Enduro 3 appearing as an option for those who need ridiculously long battery life (the Enduro 2 lasts 34 days, plus an additional 12 days with solar charging).
The more mysterious model is the Garmin Fenix E. These rumors point to a more affordable 47mm model, or perhaps one that simply gives fans of the Fenix 7’s MiP display technology an option in the upgraded line.
WinFuture’s leak predicts that pricing for Garmin’s sports watches will be at “normal levels”. If that’s the case, we can expect the Fenix 8 to start at around $699 / £599 / AU$1,049 for the standard version or $999.99 / £859.99 / AU$1,499 for the top-of-the-range Sapphire Solar model.
Not exactly cheap, but when you consider that the Fenix 7 and Epix Pro are still considered among the best Garmin watches ever made, the wait for the new series may be worth it if you’re looking for a premium running or sports watch to meet all your training needs.
