The Garmin Fenix 8 is one of the most anticipated sports watches of the year, and a new image leak has just given us a glimpse of what to expect from the Apple Watch Ultra rival, including the possibility of a cheaper version.
The images come courtesy of WinFuture and reveal what appears to be the Garmin Fenix 8 (Solar), the Garmin Enduro 3, and the mysterious new Garmin Fenix E, which was mentioned in an earlier leak from Fitness Tracker Test.
While we don't have full specs yet, the leak suggests these will be the first Fenix watches with AMOLED displays rather than MiP (memory in pixels). The benefits of AMOLED are easier visibility (because the display emits its own light), more natural colors (thanks to a wider color gamut), and faster refresh rates.
On the downside, AMOLED displays use more power than MIP displays (particularly in always-on mode), so if you prefer that style 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 therefore adopt the older MiP technology.
It looks like the Fenix E will only be available in a single 47mm case size, which could limit its appeal among those with larger wrists, but the Fenix 8 (Solar) has been rumored to be launching in 47mm and 51mm sizes, with an Enduro 3 model also expected to come in a single 51mm case size.
These sizes slightly contradict rumors we saw about the Fenix 8 last month, which suggested it would come in three sizes, including a smaller 43mm version (similar to the 42mm Garmin Fenix 7S).
Still, we shouldn't have to wait long for official details: the Fenix 8, Fenix E, and Enduro 3 are all expected to officially launch at IFA 2024, which kicks off on September 6.
Goodbye Epix?
These leaks seem to back up previous rumors that Garmin is planning to discontinue its Epix series, which would make sense given that the Garmin Epix (Gen 2) was effectively just a Fenix 7 with an AMOLED touchscreen.
Instead, it looks like we'll be getting a merger of the two lines, with the Fenix 8 launching in its usual standard, solar, and sapphire solar versions with that new AMOLED display, and the Enduro 3 arriving as the option for those who need ridiculously long battery life (the Enduro 2 lasts 34 days, plus 12 more with solar charging).
The most mysterious model is the Garmin Fenix E. These rumors point to a more affordable 47mm model, or perhaps one that simply offers fans of the Fenix 7's MiP display technology an option in the upgraded line.
WinFuture’s leak predicts that prices for Garmin’s sports watches will remain at the “usual level.” If so, 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 higher-end Sapphire Solar model.
It's not exactly cheap, but considering the Fenix 7 and Epix Pro are still considered some of the best Garmin watches ever made, the new range could be worth the wait if you're looking for a premium sports or running watch that can meet all your training needs.
