Late summer and early fall is the time for brands like Apple, Garmin, Google, and Samsung to revamp their best smartwatches; Google and Samsung have recently revealed their wrists, while Apple has announced the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch 10 (or X) new models are expected to be announced soon, while Garmin has taken the lead with the launch of its Fenix 8 series along with the Garmin Enduro 3

The Fenix 8 is the successor to the Garmin Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro and the addition of the Epix line, making it Garmin's top sports watch model major updates to the Fenix 8 include models with AMOLED screens and the Garmin traditional The Fenix 8 is available in two models, one with an AMOLED screen and the other with Garmin's traditional memory-in-pixel display and solar charging

Here is all the important information you need to know about the Fenix 8, including release date, price, specs, and key features The Fenix 8 looks to be one of the best Garmin watches yet

The Garmin Fenix 8 will be available on August 27 and is available now, but Garmin says it will take two to three weeks to ship if ordered from the Garmin website Prices range from $99999 to $119999, depending on the model and size you choose; there is also a less expensive Fenix E model for $79999

The Fenix 8 series offers two options, AMOLED and solar-charged, the latter with a memory-in-pixel display that is less bright than AMOLED but has a longer battery life AMOLED watches come in three sizes: 43 mm, 47 mm, and 51 mm sizes, while solar watches come in 47mm and 51mm sizes

It is the most expensive Fenix ever, with prices jumping from the Fenix 7 Pro and Fenix 7 series, and the Fenix 8 is also more expensive than the Galaxy Watch Ultra ($640) and Apple Watch Ultra 2 (from $799)

The main update to the Fenix 8 series is the integration of the Garmin Epix series into the Fenix series, which now includes AMOLED and non-AMOLED watches The Fenix 8's AMOLED has a brighter display and has a shorter battery life, the Fenix 8 Solar, with its memory-in-pixel display and solar panel, has a longer charge time

Another important update is that the Fenix 8 now has a microphone and speaker, allowing users to take voice notes, use voice commands such as setting a timer, or activate a cell phone voice assistant

The Fenix 8 also features new sport modes for scuba diving and apnea diving, allowing the watch to be used for diving to depths of up to 40 meters This is also thanks to the watch's new waterproof button and sensor guard

The display resolution is the same as past Fenix and Epix watches, but Garmin has upgraded the solar panel on the solar watch to be more efficient The panels are used only on the rings around the edges of the display, so the screen should read more clearly than the Fenix 7 solar model

Garmin also revamped the watch's user interface, adding new software features such as a focus mode, and upgraded the navigation features to improve usability and adjust routes on the move with a new A dynamic round-trip routing option was added

The Fenix 8 update adds to the very impressive feature set that was already available on the Fenix 7 Pro In addition to top-notch sports tracking and training analytics, including daily readiness assessments, there are smart features like NFC payments and music storage, and the ability to wirelessly transfer playlists in conjunction with streaming services like Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer

The watches also feature ECG sensors, and the Fenix 8 has Garmin's latest Elevate v5 heart rate sensor, which can measure skin temperature The Fenix 8 also features dual-band GPS tracking for more accurate distance and pacing information during outdoor activities

Battery life depends on which model you choose, with larger models and those with solar charging capabilities lasting longer than smaller models and AMOLED models The longest battery life is the 51mm Fenix 8 Solar, which lasts up to 48 days in watch mode in sunny conditions, and the 51mm Fenix 8 AMOLED, which lasts 29 days in raise-to-wake mode, but these numbers drop sharply when GPS tracking is used