fēnix 8 Pro – 51 mm, MicroLED

Ah, so that’s where the real crazy comes in. 😜 For the most complete data, you’ve got to be willing to wear both, 24/7 (which I do). Garmin’s PhysioTrueUp (I think they just call it Device Priority now) helps keep everything in sync across the Garmin-verse. If I need to make things less showy for any reason I’ll sometimes keep the Garmin in my pocket’s coin pouch (less movement) since it’s reading from my Polar H10 anyways and doesn’t have to be on my wrist, and the entire point of the AWU3 for me is Tapbacks, SMS voice replies, and FindMy on my wrist via 5G. Sleep-wise, the Venu X1 barely feels like it’s even there, but even the Fenix8 MicroLED (the thickest of the lot) didn’t bother me for sleep comfort during the week that I was testing it, so perhaps I’m just an anomaly since I know many people (including my partner) don’t tolerate bigger watches during sleep - the Garmin Index Sleep band is a good workaround, but then you keep going further and further down this rabbit hole of more $ and niche tech.

Except that Garmin is now attempting to compete with Apple and Android. If you look at the new releases like the Venu X1, Venu4, the Fenix 8 Pro, the batteries are getting fewer days than their predecessors. The VenuX1 is rated for 2 days with AOD, the Fenix8 pro MicroLed is rated for 4 days with AOD both in Smartwatch mode. To get the battery life users are accustom to you need to turn off features.

Took those stats straight from the Garmin site. Fenix8 pro MicroLed Smartwatch: Up to 10 days (4 days always-on), VenuX1 - Smartwatch mode: Up to 8 days (2 days display always-on) I use my U2 with AOD and I can easily get 48 hours, 3 full days if I wanted and that is with at least an hour of GPS and another hour of activity tracking each day.

I did not - did you actually read the whole post or just skip parts of it because someone stated facts you didn't like about Garmin? I used Garmin for many years, they were a great brand at one time. Further the Fenix 8 pro MicroLED is still a Fenix 8 pro - get over yourself.

I wouldn't say that Apple Watches and the Ultra in particular have light fitness features, I use Stryd pods to run and use the Stryd app, that makes the AW a powerful fitness watch, there are numeral apps that can replicate what Garmin provides. I use WorkOutDoors for all my other activities, fully customizable with the ability to use live and downloadable maps with routing. Users can take advantage of a plethora of apps and for those that don't want app there are websites like runalze and intervals.icu. To be truthful Garmin is bloated with data that just fluff and not needed by anyone, sure it is fun to look at but most don't take action on the majority of it. The ability to workout without a phone can't be overstated. Yes Garmin has the Fenix 8 pro with cellular but the LTE is provided by Garmin and it severely limited is scope and usage. No streaming, users have no esim so no dedicated phone number and others must use Garmin messenger to communicate with the user. It really is made for emergency situations.

I used Garmin for a number of years, often switching back and forth with Apple. Once the Ultra came about I was hesitant but when the U2 was released and after I just became fed up with the more and more frequent software updates to fix bugs that actually just created more I left Garmin for good and I won't ever go back. The U2 and the ability to run and leave the phone at home can't be over stated. Yes the F8pro has LTE but it is so limited that for daily use it is not going to cut it - I am not going to be able to unlock my door with it, turn on my lights, check my dog camera, check the transit schedule, stream my podcast, pay for things (no Garmin pay where I live) etc. As for the folks who go on about all the data that Garmin has - I say no one needs all that data, not even profession athletes (despite what Garmin wants us to think). How many users even understand what it all means let alone take action on all or any of it? They are very few actual metric that anyone needs to train 'seriously' and you don't even need a watch to do that, but it sure makes it easier. I run several marathons a year and the Ultra is more than enough for my needs, I also hike pretty extensively and WorkOutDoors meets my needs for that. As for metrics the health app is rich with data, one needs only learn how to use it. HeathFit is a great app as well. I don't need more than that.

You are going to get downvotes from those who are in denial, loyalists who will never say a bad word about the brand, or from those who are so invested in the brand they are either so locked in that they won't change or they truly believe that Garmin is the best available. That said, what you have stated is true, they are just selling old models with new faces, the internals are the same. They haven't really changed for years. Garmin's software is outdated, laggy and so buggy it is an embarrassment. The Fenix 8 release was a catastrophe. Most folks know not to buy a new release Garmin for at least 6-8 months these days or they are just going to have paid to be a Garmin beta tester for months. You didn't even mention the laggy heart rate data for activities. Other brands have caught up to what at one time was the best in the business - not anymore. Garmin has been relying on the reputation for a while now. Prices go up, features get more gimmicky, and UX and UI go down.

100 % agree. I swapped from AWU 2 to Fenix 8 pro 51 mm. Best decision ever.

I did the same last month. got the fenix 8 pro 51mm and will never get an apple watch again

I own both an Ultra 3 and a Fenix 8 LTE 51mm and have a separate plan for the Ultra 3 as well as the $7.99/mo Messenger Plan for the Fenix 8. I cannot speak to weight training, however for road. gravel. & mountain biking, the Fenix 8 is much more accurate than the Ultra 3; when cycling throughout Santa Cruz/Monterey/San Mateo counties, my Fenix 8 is always withing 1% of my Garmin Edge 1050 whereas the Ultra 3s my co-riders use are always under-reporting my and other Edge computers by 5-10 miles and 100-150 feet). For me, the only advantages of the Ultra 3 over the Fenix 8 are its integration with iPhone and its 5g/LTE connectivity when I leave my phone at home and go for a walk, coffee shop, etc. The Fenix 8's LTE connectivity is a pain; unless one is making an emergency call/text, the recipient can only receive the call/text via Garmin's Messenger App and I have yet to be able to make an LTE call because the Fenix 8 cannot connect to LTE even though the areas I have been in (Sequoia/Kings Canyon, Santa Cruz, & San Francisco) are on Garmin's coverage map. So for bike rides, I still bring my phone.