Garmin Fenix 8 vs. Fenix 7 - Is It Worth the Upgrade?

hey everyone with the arrival of the Garmin Phoenix 8 there's a lot of buzz in the world of wearables in 2024 but you might be wondering what exactly has changed from the Phoenix 7 the Phoenix 7 which debuted in 2022 is still a fantastic choice for outdoor enthusiasts and serious fitness trackers plus the Phoenix 7 Pro with its improved sensor accuracy and built-in flashlight remains a top pick but the new Phoenix 8 brings some intriguing updates that might make you consider an upgrade we're currently putting the Phoenix 8 through its paces and we'll have a full review and comparison coming your way soon so don't forget to subscribe to our Channel and for now we've broken down the eight biggest differences between the Phoenix 7 and Phoenix 8 to help you understand what's new and whether it's worth making the switch so stick around to get all the [Music] details the most significant change in the latest Garmin Phoenix generation is the overhaul of display options which has led to the discontinuation of the epics range if you were looking for an emole display with the Phoenix 7 or Phoenix 7 Pro you'd have to go with the Epic Gen 2 or Epix Pro Gen 2 aside from the display differences and a few minor quirks these watches were essentially the same with the Phoenix 8 Garmin has streamlined the options the Epic range is now integrated into the Phoenix lineup you no longer need to choose between Phoenix and epic as the Phoenix 8 family includes both a mol and the classic memory in pixel displays for those who prefer the traditional MIP technology Garmin has kept it alive in the Phoenix 8 series including the solar charging feature on the 47 mm and 51 mm models in summary the Phoenix 8 series now offers five standard models to choose from three sizes with a moly displays and two sizes with solar displays giving you a broader range of options than ever before since the Garmin Phoenix 5 series users have had the choice of 42 mm 47 mm and 51 mm case sizes with the smaller and larger versions marked as s and X for the Phoenix 7 and Phoenix 7 Pro these sizes remain consistent however with the Phoenix 8 Garmin has slightly increased the size of the smallest model to 43 m mm which is now only available in the emoi version the solar Edition with the MIP display starts at 47 mm we're still awaiting the exact dimensions of the updated models to see how the size increase impacts rist comfort and overall feel this change might also lead to better battery life but we'll need to wait for garmin's official battery life estimates to confirm this stay tuned for updates as we continue to gather more information the Garmin Phoenix Series has always been known for its rugged design and durable specs with the Phoenix 7 Pro we saw impressive features like a 10 ATM water resistance rating a titanium case and an optional sapphire crystal glass display these have ensured that the Phoenix 7 Pro stands up well to long-term use showing no significant wear or damage for the Phoenix sake Garmin has taken things up a notch every model now comes with leak proof metal buttons and a new guard that extends further along the right edge of the case rather than just around the start stop Button as seen in the Phoenix 7 Series while this upgrade may not be a game changer for everyone it's definitely a notable Improvement for those who plan to use their watch frequently in challenging outdoor or water conditions like diving one of our top hopes for the Phoenix 8 series was that Garmin would upgrade from the outdoor operating system used in previous models to the more advanced interface scen in the emoli 4er range like the four 965 it looks like Garmin has delivered on that wish with the Phoenix 8 featuring improved Graphics that match the modern visuals of their running watches while the Phoenix 7 and epic Gen 2 have their own unique Styles including the more basic graphics for features like morning report and glance lists the Phoenix 8 offers a much more vibrant and Visually engaging experience this upgrade brings a fresh and dynamic look to the Phoenix series enhancing both functionality and Aesthetics the improved visuals on the Phoenix 8 make a noticeable difference in the overall user experience from what we've heard Garmin has no plans to roll this graphical upgrade back to the Phoenix 7 Series through a software update so if you're after a more vibrant and engaging interface the Phoenix 8s improved Graphics will be one of the key reasons to consider making the switch Garmin often adds exclusive features with each new generation and the Phoenix 8 is no exception this time we get guided strength programs and enhanced mapping the strength programs offer Ford to six weeks of personalized workouts for athletes like Trail Runners and Surfers to help them Reach their goals as for the mapping the new interface lets you view terrain Contours on Topo active Maps customize map layers and enjoy easier roundtrip routing and suggested routes the Phoenix 7 Series doesn't have a built-in speaker or microphone so you need to pair head phones for audio updates and guided workouts it's something we've managed without but the Phoenix a changes that now every Phenix 8 model comes with a speaker and microphone allowing for workout feedback and voice commands you can set timers to start workouts and more all without needing your phone connected a nice upgrade we're curious to see how this will perform in real world testing while we haven't missed having a speaker before the addition of voice commands could be a handy feature and adds a bit more smart functionality to the line Garmin claims the phoenix8 solar Edition is significantly better at harnessing sunlight with the 51 mm model showing a 50% Improvement we weren't entirely convinced by the solar feature on the Phoenix 7 Pro solar and other models like the 4955 solar typically the solar panel needs a lot of direct sunlight over 10 hours to make a noticeable difference in battery life we're curious to see if this enhanced solar capability will be a major factor in choosing the Phoenix 8 over the Phoenix 7 we'll have more detailed insights soon if you're looking for a smaller Phoenix with solar support you'll need to consider the Phoenix 7s or 7s Pro Models it's no surprise that the Garmin Phoenix 8 series comes with a higher price tag compared to the Phoenix 7 models what adds a layer of complexity to this comparison is the change in display types between the generations this shift makes it a bit tricky to directly compare the models especially since there are numerous variations in each generation here's what we do know the starting price for the Phoenix 8 series is quite eye-catching at $999 if you're looking at the 43 mm or 47 mm Sapphire models you'll be paying $1,099 and the 51 mm Sapphire editions are priced at $1,199 on the other hand the Phoenix 7 starts at a more budget friendly $649 with the pro models currently ranging from $799 to $899 so if you're weighing your options keep these price points in mind as we dive into the differences between these two impressive series the Garmin Phoenix 8 brings several exciting upgrades over the Phoenix 7 including improved Graphics built-in speakers and microphones and enhanced solar efficiency while the updated display and voice commands add significant value the enhanced solar capability could be a game Cher for those spending extended time Outdoors however if you're happy with the current features of the Phoenix 7 and don't need the new additions sticking with it could still be a solid choice for those seeking the latest advancements and a more versatile experience the Phoenix 8 is definitely worth considering thanks for tuning in we'd love to hear your thoughts are you excited about the Phoenix 8's new features or do you think the Phoenix 7 still holds its ground drop your comments below and let us know what you think don't forget to like subscribe and hit the notification Bell for more updates and reviews see you in the next video [Music]