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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerGarmin Enduro 3 vs Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Choosing between Garmin Enduro 3 and Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) can be tricky. Both are excellent, but they serve different priorities. This guide highlights what matters for US shoppers.
Ratings: 4★ vs 4.6★
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Garmin Enduro 3
★4
(7)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required)
Operating System:Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:51mm x 51mm x 15.7mm
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer case with titanium rear cover; Titanium bezel; Power Sapphire solar charging lens
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Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
★4.6
(1,856)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required)
Operating System:Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:47mm x 47mm x 13.8mm
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover; Bezel: Titanium or Stainless Steel; Lens: Sapphire Crystal or Corning Gorilla Glass
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Comparison: Garmin Enduro 3 vs Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Garmin Enduro 3
★4(7)Amazon
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
★4.6(1,856)Amazon
| Criterion | Garmin Enduro 3 | Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4(7)Amazon | ★4.6(1,856)Amazon |
Compatibility | iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required) | iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required) |
Operating System | Garmin OS (Proprietary) | Garmin OS (Proprietary) |
Case Size | 51mm x 51mm x 15.7mm | 47mm x 47mm x 13.8mm |
Case Material | Fiber-reinforced polymer case with titanium rear cover; Titanium bezel; Power Sapphire solar charging lens | Fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover; Bezel: Titanium or Stainless Steel; Lens: Sapphire Crystal or Corning Gorilla Glass |
Display Type | Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) | AMOLED; Always-On Mode available; 1000 nits peak brightness |
Display Size | 1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter | 1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter |
Resolution | 280 x 280 pixels | 454 x 454 pixels |
Always On Display | Yes (MIP display is always visible) | Yes (optional) |
Water Resistance | 10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters) | 10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters); Dive rated (EN13319) to 40 meters |
Durability | MIL-STD-810H (Thermal, Shock, Water); Scratch-resistant Sapphire lens | MIL-STD-810H thermal/shock/water tested; Leakproof inductive buttons; Metal sensor guard |
GPS | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou |
Connectivity | Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi | Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi |
NFC Payments | Garmin Pay | Garmin Pay |
Sensors | Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor (ECG capable); Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer | Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor; Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer; Ambient light sensor; Depth sensor (up to 40m) |
Health Features | Garmin ECG App (region dependent); Body Battery; Sleep Score and advanced monitoring; HRV Status; Pulse Ox; Nap detection; Jet Lag Adviser; Health Snapshot | Body Battery energy monitoring; Sleep Score and advanced sleep monitoring; HDR (High Dynamic Range) Heart Rate; HRV Status; Pulse Ox; Nap detection; Jet Lag Adviser; Health Snapshot |
Workout Modes | Ultrarunning (with rest timer); Adventure Racing; Trail Run; Advanced Strength Training; Hiking; Cycling (MTB, Gravel, Road); Swimming (Pool & Open Water); Skiing; Surfing; and 100+ others | Advanced Strength Training (sport-specific); Recreational Scuba Diving (Single Gas); Apnea Diving; HIIT; Trail Run; Ultra Run; Triathlon; Skiing; Surfing; Golf (43,000+ courses); and 100+ others |
Storage | 32GB | 32GB |
Speaker Mic | None (Audio prompts via connected Bluetooth headphones only) | Built-in Speaker; Built-in Microphone (Voice Assistant & Voice Notes) |
Calls | No (Can accept/decline calls to control phone; Android users can send text replies) | Yes (Make and take calls via Bluetooth connection to smartphone) |
Battery | Smartwatch mode: Up to 36 days (90 days with solar); GPS Only: Up to 120 hours (320 hours with solar); Expedition GPS: Unlimited with solar | Smartwatch mode: Up to 16 days (7 days always-on); GPS Only: Up to 47 hours (37 hours always-on); Expedition GPS: Up to 14 days |
Charging | Garmin proprietary plug charger (USB-C cable included); Solar charging | Garmin proprietary plug charger (clip-on data cable) |
Weight | 63 g (Case only: 57 g) — includes UltraFit nylon strap | Stainless Steel: 80g (Case only: 59g); Titanium: 73g (Case only: 52g) |
Band Sizes | Fits wrists 127–225mm (UltraFit nylon strap included); QuickFit 26mm compatible | Fits wrists 125–208mm (Silicone); QuickFit 22mm compatible |
Extras | Built-in LED Flashlight (Red/White strobes); Dynamic Round-Trip Routing; TopoActive Maps (preloaded); NextFork Map Guide; Grade Adjusted Pace; Real-time Stamina | Built-in LED Flashlight (Red/White strobes); Dynamic Round-Trip Routing; Garmin Messenger app; Outdoor Maps+ (subscription optional); SkiView Maps |
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Garmin Enduro 3
Rating:★4(7)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required)
Operating System:Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:51mm x 51mm x 15.7mm
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer case with titanium rear cover; Titanium bezel; Power Sapphire solar charging lens
Display Type:Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)
Display Size:1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter
Resolution:280 x 280 pixels
Always On Display:Yes (MIP display is always visible)
Water Resistance:10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters)
Durability:MIL-STD-810H (Thermal, Shock, Water); Scratch-resistant Sapphire lens
GPS:Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou
Connectivity:Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi
NFC Payments:Garmin Pay
Sensors:Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor (ECG capable); Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer
Health Features:Garmin ECG App (region dependent); Body Battery; Sleep Score and advanced monitoring; HRV Status; Pulse Ox; Nap detection; Jet Lag Adviser; Health Snapshot
Workout Modes:Ultrarunning (with rest timer); Adventure Racing; Trail Run; Advanced Strength Training; Hiking; Cycling (MTB, Gravel, Road); Swimming (Pool & Open Water); Skiing; Surfing; and 100+ others
Storage:32GB
Speaker Mic:None (Audio prompts via connected Bluetooth headphones only)
Calls:No (Can accept/decline calls to control phone; Android users can send text replies)
Battery:Smartwatch mode: Up to 36 days (90 days with solar); GPS Only: Up to 120 hours (320 hours with solar); Expedition GPS: Unlimited with solar
Charging:Garmin proprietary plug charger (USB-C cable included); Solar charging
Weight:63 g (Case only: 57 g) — includes UltraFit nylon strap
Band Sizes:Fits wrists 127–225mm (UltraFit nylon strap included); QuickFit 26mm compatible
Extras:Built-in LED Flashlight (Red/White strobes); Dynamic Round-Trip Routing; TopoActive Maps (preloaded); NextFork Map Guide; Grade Adjusted Pace; Real-time Stamina
✓ Pros:
- • Unrivaled battery life: up to 90 days in smartwatch mode with solar
- • Incredibly lightweight (63g) for a 51mm watch due to nylon strap/titanium
- • Built-in LED flashlight is a game-changer for ultra-endurance events
- • Excellent visibility in direct sunlight thanks to MIP display
- • Preloaded TopoActive maps with SatIQ for superior navigation
✗ Cons:
- • Lacks the speaker/microphone found in the Fenix 8 series
- • No diving certification (unlike Fenix 8 which is rated to 40m)
- • MIP display is less vibrant indoors compared to AMOLED rivals
- • Large 51mm case size may be too bulky for smaller wrists
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Rating:★4.6(1,856)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required)
Operating System:Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:47mm x 47mm x 13.8mm
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover; Bezel: Titanium or Stainless Steel; Lens: Sapphire Crystal or Corning Gorilla Glass
Display Type:AMOLED; Always-On Mode available; 1000 nits peak brightness
Display Size:1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter
Resolution:454 x 454 pixels
Always On Display:Yes (optional)
Water Resistance:10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters); Dive rated (EN13319) to 40 meters
Durability:MIL-STD-810H thermal/shock/water tested; Leakproof inductive buttons; Metal sensor guard
GPS:Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou
Connectivity:Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi
NFC Payments:Garmin Pay
Sensors:Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor; Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer; Ambient light sensor; Depth sensor (up to 40m)
Health Features:Body Battery energy monitoring; Sleep Score and advanced sleep monitoring; HDR (High Dynamic Range) Heart Rate; HRV Status; Pulse Ox; Nap detection; Jet Lag Adviser; Health Snapshot
Workout Modes:Advanced Strength Training (sport-specific); Recreational Scuba Diving (Single Gas); Apnea Diving; HIIT; Trail Run; Ultra Run; Triathlon; Skiing; Surfing; Golf (43,000+ courses); and 100+ others
Storage:32GB
Speaker Mic:Built-in Speaker; Built-in Microphone (Voice Assistant & Voice Notes)
Calls:Yes (Make and take calls via Bluetooth connection to smartphone)
Battery:Smartwatch mode: Up to 16 days (7 days always-on); GPS Only: Up to 47 hours (37 hours always-on); Expedition GPS: Up to 14 days
Charging:Garmin proprietary plug charger (clip-on data cable)
Weight:Stainless Steel: 80g (Case only: 59g); Titanium: 73g (Case only: 52g)
Band Sizes:Fits wrists 125–208mm (Silicone); QuickFit 22mm compatible
Extras:Built-in LED Flashlight (Red/White strobes); Dynamic Round-Trip Routing; Garmin Messenger app; Outdoor Maps+ (subscription optional); SkiView Maps
✓ Pros:
- • Stunning 1.4" AMOLED display with efficient 16-day battery life
- • Legitimate dive computer features (rated to 40m) with leakproof buttons
- • Built-in LED flashlight and speaker/mic add massive daily utility
- • Comprehensive offline mapping and best-in-class GPS accuracy
- • Advanced strength training plans tailored to specific sports
✗ Cons:
- • High price point compared to previous generations and competitors
- • No LTE/Cellular option for standalone calls (requires phone nearby)
- • Titanium models with Sapphire glass command a significant premium
- • Proprietary charging cable (not wireless/Qi standard)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Which one is better?
Based on ratings and feature balance, Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) has a slight edge for overall satisfaction. Garmin Enduro 3 remains a strong alternative if its strengths match your needs.
Who should buy each?
For performance and polish: Garmin Enduro 3 (Unrivaled battery life: up to 90 days in smartwatch mode with solar, Incredibly lightweight (63g) for a 51mm watch due to nylon strap/titanium)
For value or versatility: Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) (Stunning 1.4" AMOLED display with efficient 16-day battery life, Legitimate dive computer features (rated to 40m) with leakproof buttons)
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Garmin Enduro 3 excels if you value unrivaled battery life: up to 90 days in smartwatch mode with solar. Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) is better if you prioritize stunning 1.4" amoled display with efficient 16-day battery life. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
Affiliate disclosure
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