With the launch of the Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED, many are wondering how it stacks up against the still-available Epix (Gen 2) Pro, especially as the Epix brand is being merged with the Fenix going forward.

The Fenix 8 AMOLED starts at $999, while the Epix (Gen 2) Pro starts $100 less, but do the feature changes justify the price difference? Let’s dive in and compare the two devices. (Note: There is also a Fenix 8 Solar version with an MIP screen not discussed in this post)

Watch Size and Display

One of the most noticeable differences between the Fenix 8 AMOLED and the Epix (Gen 2) Pro is the screen size changes.

Garmin increased the bezel size on its smaller watch to 43mm Fenix 8, which now allows for a bigger 1.3-inch AMOLED screen, and the 42mm Epix (Gen 2) Pro comes with a 1.2-inch display. While the midsize model still maintains a 47mm body, the Fenix 8 has slimmer bezels and offers a 1.4-inch screen, compared to the 1.3-inch screen on the 47mm Epix (Gen 2) Pro. Both the 51mm Fenix 8 and 51mm Epix (Gen 2) Pro share the same 1.4-inch display.

Materials

The materials across both models are the same with options for a standard model with stainless steel bezel and Gorilla Glass or a premium model with titanium bezel and sapphire display.

Thickness

The Fenix 8 AMOLED is generally slimmer across the board. The 43mm Fenix 8 is 13.8mm thick, compared to 14.2mm on the 42mm Epix (Gen 2) Pro. The 47mm Fenix 8 measures the same 13.8mm, while the 47mm Epix (Gen 2) Pro is again 14.2mm thick. The 51mm Fenix 8 is 14.7mm thick, slightly slimmer than the 15mm thickness of the 51mm Epix (Gen 2) Pro.

These size differences might not be immediately noticeable, but the slightly slimmer design of the Fenix 8 could make it more comfortable for all-day wear.

Battery Life Comparison

Battery life is a critical factor for watches, and both models provide solid battery life, especially for smartwatches with AMOLED displays. However, the Fenix 8 AMOLED tends to offer slightly better battery life. Here’s how they compare:

• 43mm Fenix 8: Up to 10 days in Smartwatch Mode (4 days with always-on display), 23 hours in All Satellite Systems (18 hours with always-on display)
• 42mm Epix (Gen 2) Pro: Up to 10 days in Smartwatch Mode (4 days with always-on display), 21 hours in All Satellite Systems (16 hours with always-on display)
• 47mm Fenix 8: Up to 16 days in Smartwatch Mode (7 days with always-on display), 38 hours in All Satellite Systems (30 hours with always-on display)
• 47mm Epix (Gen 2) Pro: Up to 16 days in Smartwatch Mode (6 days with always-on display), 32 hours in All Satellite Systems (24 hours with always-on display)
• 51mm Fenix 8: Up to 29 days in Smartwatch Mode (13 days with always-on display), 68 hours in All Satellite Systems (54 hours with always-on display)
• 51mm Epix (Gen 2) Pro: Up to 31 days in Smartwatch Mode (11 days with always-on display), 62 hours in All Satellite Systems (48 hours with always-on display)

While generally the Fenix 8 has more battery life than the Epix, these improvements might be only marginally noticeable under standard conditions.

New Functionality

The Fenix 8 maintains all of the functionality of the Epix (Gen 2) Pro including the beloved flashlight. It has also gained two significant additional features absent in the Epix (Gen 2) Pro. The Fenix 8 includes a depth sensor and dive capabilities, making it an attractive option for divers and has also added a microphone and speaker, allowing users to control their phone’s smart assistant and operate the watch hands-free.

Software and Updates

Both the Fenix 8 and Epix (Gen 2) Pro will continue to receive software updates from Garmin, but the Fenix 8 will have have updates longer into the future. Garmin also has released their newest user interface, which will be the new standard interface going forward for their smartwatches, but only amongst newly released models.

Conclusion

Both the Fenix 8 AMOLED and Epix (Gen 2) Pro are excellent smartwatches. While the Fenix 8 AMOLED might not justify an upgrade if you already own an Epix (Gen 2) Pro, at a $100 extra price tag, the additional features and newer software likely make the Fenix 8 worth it if you are ready to purchase a new premium smartwatch.

The Epix (Gen 2) Pro has many of the features of the Fenix 8 and might be worth purchasing instead if you can get it for a discount on a third-party retailer. Though currently Amazon is not offering any significant discounts on the device. The slimmer design, bigger displays, slightly better battery life, and added features of the Fenix 8 make it an attractive choice for an upgrade from older Garmin models.