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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerGarmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) vs Apple Watch Series 10
Choosing between Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) and Apple Watch Series 10 can be tricky. Both are excellent, but they serve different priorities. This guide highlights what matters for US shoppers.
Ratings: 4.6★ vs 4.7★
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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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Apple Watch Series 10
★4.7
(15,669)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone Xs or later, including iPhone SE (2nd generation or later), with iOS 18 or later
Operating System:watchOS 11
Case Size:46mm (46mm H x 39mm W x 9.7mm D) or 42mm (42mm H x 36mm W x 9.7mm D)
Case Material:Aluminum (Jet Black, Rose Gold, Silver) or Titanium (Slate, Gold, Natural)
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Comparison: Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) vs Apple Watch Series 10
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
★4.6(1,856)Amazon
Apple Watch Series 10
★4.7(15,669)Amazon
| Criterion | Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) | Apple Watch Series 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(1,856)Amazon | ★4.7(15,669)Amazon |
Compatibility | iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required) | iPhone Xs or later, including iPhone SE (2nd generation or later), with iOS 18 or later |
Operating System | Garmin OS (Proprietary) | watchOS 11 |
Case Size | 47mm x 47mm x 13.8mm | 46mm (46mm H x 39mm W x 9.7mm D) or 42mm (42mm H x 36mm W x 9.7mm D) |
Case Material | Fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover; Bezel: Titanium or Stainless Steel; Lens: Sapphire Crystal or Corning Gorilla Glass | Aluminum (Jet Black, Rose Gold, Silver) or Titanium (Slate, Gold, Natural) |
Display Type | AMOLED; Always-On Mode available; 1000 nits peak brightness | Always-On Retina LTPO3 OLED; Wide-angle; Up to 2000 nits brightness; Minimum 1 nit |
Display Size | 1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter | 1220 sq mm (46mm) / 989 sq mm (42mm) display area |
Resolution | 454 x 454 pixels | 416 x 496 pixels (46mm); 374 x 446 pixels (42mm) |
Always On Display | Yes (optional) | Yes |
Water Resistance | 10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters); Dive rated (EN13319) to 40 meters | 50 m (ISO 22810:2010); Swimproof |
Durability | MIL-STD-810H thermal/shock/water tested; Leakproof inductive buttons; Metal sensor guard | IP6X dust resistant; Crack-resistant front crystal |
GPS | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou | L1 GPS, GNSS, Galileo, and BeiDou |
Connectivity | Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi | LTE and UMTS (GPS + Cellular models); Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n); Bluetooth 5.3; 2nd-gen Ultra Wideband chip |
NFC Payments | Garmin Pay | Apple 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) | Electrical heart sensor (ECG); 3rd-gen optical heart sensor; Temperature sensor; Compass; Always-on altimeter; High-g accelerometer; High dynamic range gyroscope; Ambient light sensor; Depth gauge (to 6m); Water temperature sensor |
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 | Sleep Apnea notifications; Blood Oxygen app; ECG app; Cycle Tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates; High/low heart rate notifications; Irregular rhythm notifications; Medications; Mindfulness; Vitals app |
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 | Strength, HIIT, Pilates, Yoga, Swimming (Pool & Open Water), Running, Cycling, Hiking, Multisport, Tai Chi, Kickboxing, Dance, Cooldown, and more via Workout app |
Storage | 32GB | 64GB |
Speaker Mic | Built-in Speaker; Built-in Microphone (Voice Assistant & Voice Notes) | Speaker (media playback supported); Microphone with Voice Isolation |
Calls | Yes (Make and take calls via Bluetooth connection to smartphone) | Yes (GPS + Cellular models standalone); GPS models via paired iPhone |
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 | Up to 18 hours (normal use); Up to 36 hours (Low Power Mode) |
Charging | Garmin proprietary plug charger (clip-on data cable) | Fast charge (0–80% in approx. 30 min); Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable (1m) included |
Weight | Stainless Steel: 80g (Case only: 59g); Titanium: 73g (Case only: 52g) | Aluminum: 36.4g (46mm) / 30g (42mm); Titanium: 41.7g (46mm) / 34.4g (42mm) |
Band Sizes | Fits wrists 125–208mm (Silicone); QuickFit 22mm compatible | Fits 140–245mm wrists (46mm); Fits 130–200mm wrists (42mm) |
Extras | Built-in LED Flashlight (Red/White strobes); Dynamic Round-Trip Routing; Garmin Messenger app; Outdoor Maps+ (subscription optional); SkiView Maps | S10 SiP with 4-core Neural Engine; Double tap gesture; On-device Siri; Crash Detection; Fall Detection |
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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.
Check Price on Amazon→
Apple Watch Series 10
Rating:★4.7(15,669)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone Xs or later, including iPhone SE (2nd generation or later), with iOS 18 or later
Operating System:watchOS 11
Case Size:46mm (46mm H x 39mm W x 9.7mm D) or 42mm (42mm H x 36mm W x 9.7mm D)
Case Material:Aluminum (Jet Black, Rose Gold, Silver) or Titanium (Slate, Gold, Natural)
Display Type:Always-On Retina LTPO3 OLED; Wide-angle; Up to 2000 nits brightness; Minimum 1 nit
Display Size:1220 sq mm (46mm) / 989 sq mm (42mm) display area
Resolution:416 x 496 pixels (46mm); 374 x 446 pixels (42mm)
Always On Display:Yes
Water Resistance:50 m (ISO 22810:2010); Swimproof
Durability:IP6X dust resistant; Crack-resistant front crystal
GPS:L1 GPS, GNSS, Galileo, and BeiDou
Connectivity:LTE and UMTS (GPS + Cellular models); Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n); Bluetooth 5.3; 2nd-gen Ultra Wideband chip
NFC Payments:Apple Pay
Sensors:Electrical heart sensor (ECG); 3rd-gen optical heart sensor; Temperature sensor; Compass; Always-on altimeter; High-g accelerometer; High dynamic range gyroscope; Ambient light sensor; Depth gauge (to 6m); Water temperature sensor
Health Features:Sleep Apnea notifications; Blood Oxygen app; ECG app; Cycle Tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates; High/low heart rate notifications; Irregular rhythm notifications; Medications; Mindfulness; Vitals app
Workout Modes:Strength, HIIT, Pilates, Yoga, Swimming (Pool & Open Water), Running, Cycling, Hiking, Multisport, Tai Chi, Kickboxing, Dance, Cooldown, and more via Workout app
Storage:64GB
Speaker Mic:Speaker (media playback supported); Microphone with Voice Isolation
Calls:Yes (GPS + Cellular models standalone); GPS models via paired iPhone
Battery:Up to 18 hours (normal use); Up to 36 hours (Low Power Mode)
Charging:Fast charge (0–80% in approx. 30 min); Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable (1m) included
Weight:Aluminum: 36.4g (46mm) / 30g (42mm); Titanium: 41.7g (46mm) / 34.4g (42mm)
Band Sizes:Fits 140–245mm wrists (46mm); Fits 130–200mm wrists (42mm)
Extras:S10 SiP with 4-core Neural Engine; Double tap gesture; On-device Siri; Crash Detection; Fall Detection
✓ Pros:
- • Largest, most advanced display in a standard Apple Watch
- • Thinnest design ever (9.7mm) with lighter weight options
- • Faster charging (80% in 30 mins) aids sleep tracking
- • New health features including Sleep Apnea notifications
- • Includes depth gauge and water temperature sensor
✗ Cons:
- • Battery life remains 18 hours (requires daily charging)
- • Titanium finish commands a significant price premium
- • Requires iPhone Xs or newer (Android incompatible)
- • Some features (Blood Oxygen) strictly dependent on region
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Which one is better?
Looking at user satisfaction (Apple Watch Series 10: 4.6★ vs Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED): 4.7★), Apple Watch Series 10 pulls ahead. The gap is small—choose based on the priorities below.
Who should buy each?
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) excels at: Stunning 1.4" AMOLED display with efficient 16-day battery life, Legitimate dive computer features (rated to 40m) with leakproof buttons
Watch for: High price point compared to previous generations and competitors
Apple Watch Series 10 excels at: Largest, most advanced display in a standard Apple Watch, Thinnest design ever (9.7mm) with lighter weight options
Watch for: Battery life remains 18 hours (requires daily charging)
Conclusion
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) and Apple Watch Series 10 are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) excels if you value stunning 1.4" amoled display with efficient 16-day battery life. Apple Watch Series 10 is better if you prioritize largest, most advanced display in a standard apple watch. 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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