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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerGarmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Choosing between Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) and Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 can be tricky. Both are excellent, but they serve different priorities. This guide highlights what matters for US shoppers.
Ratings: 4.6★ vs 4.5★
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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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Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
★4.5
(6,385)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android 11.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM; Samsung Galaxy phone required for Energy Score, ECG, Sleep Apnea, and IHRN features
Operating System:Wear OS 5 powered by Samsung (One UI 6 Watch)
Case Size:44mm (44.4 x 44.4 x 9.7 mm) or 40mm (40.4 x 40.4 x 9.7 mm)
Case Material:Armor Aluminum 2 case; Sapphire Crystal glass
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Comparison: Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
★4.6(1,856)Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
★4.5(6,385)Amazon
| Criterion | Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) | Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(1,856)Amazon | ★4.5(6,385)Amazon |
Compatibility | iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required) | Android 11.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM; Samsung Galaxy phone required for Energy Score, ECG, Sleep Apnea, and IHRN features |
Operating System | Garmin OS (Proprietary) | Wear OS 5 powered by Samsung (One UI 6 Watch) |
Case Size | 47mm x 47mm x 13.8mm | 44mm (44.4 x 44.4 x 9.7 mm) or 40mm (40.4 x 40.4 x 9.7 mm) |
Case Material | Fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover; Bezel: Titanium or Stainless Steel; Lens: Sapphire Crystal or Corning Gorilla Glass | Armor Aluminum 2 case; Sapphire Crystal glass |
Display Type | AMOLED; Always-On Mode available; 1000 nits peak brightness | Super AMOLED; Always-On Display; Peak brightness 2000 nits |
Display Size | 1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter | 1.5 in (44mm) / 1.3 in (40mm) |
Resolution | 454 x 454 pixels | 480 x 480 pixels (44mm); 432 x 432 pixels (40mm) |
Always On Display | Yes (optional) | Yes |
Water Resistance | 10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters); Dive rated (EN13319) to 40 meters | 5 ATM + IP68 (water resistant up to 50 meters for 10 min) |
Durability | MIL-STD-810H thermal/shock/water tested; Leakproof inductive buttons; Metal sensor guard | MIL-STD-810H certified; Dust tight (IP68) |
GPS | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou | Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5); Glonass; Beidou; Galileo |
Connectivity | Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi | LTE (optional); Wi-Fi 2.4+5GHz; Bluetooth 5.3; NFC |
NFC Payments | Garmin Pay | Samsung Wallet / Google Wallet |
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) | Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal + Electrical Heart + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis); Temperature sensor; Accelerometer; Barometer; Gyro sensor; Geomagnetic sensor; Light 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 | Energy Score; Sleep Apnea detection (FDA authorized); AGEs Index; Body Composition (BIA); ECG; Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification; Cycle Tracking with skin temperature; Sleep coaching |
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 | Advanced Run Coaching; Race (compete against past results); Track Back; Custom Interval Training; Swimming (Pool & Open Water); Cycling; Hiking; Circuit Training; and 100+ others via Samsung Health |
Storage | 32GB | 32GB |
Speaker Mic | Built-in Speaker; Built-in Microphone (Voice Assistant & Voice Notes) | Speaker; Microphone |
Calls | Yes (Make and take calls via Bluetooth connection to smartphone) | Yes (LTE standalone or via paired phone) |
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 | 425 mAh (44mm) / 300 mAh (40mm); Up to 40 hours (AOD off); Up to 30 hours (AOD on) |
Charging | Garmin proprietary plug charger (clip-on data cable) | Fast Wireless Charging (WPC Inductive); 0-45% in approx. 30 mins |
Weight | Stainless Steel: 80g (Case only: 59g); Titanium: 73g (Case only: 52g) | 33.8 g (44mm) / 28.8 g (40mm) (Body only) |
Band Sizes | Fits wrists 125–208mm (Silicone); QuickFit 22mm compatible | Fits 20mm standard bands (One Click system) |
Extras | Built-in LED Flashlight (Red/White strobes); Dynamic Round-Trip Routing; Garmin Messenger app; Outdoor Maps+ (subscription optional); SkiView Maps | Exynos W1000 (3nm) Processor; Galaxy AI features (Smart Reply, Voice-to-Text summaries); Double Pinch gesture |
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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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Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Rating:★4.5(6,385)Amazon
Compatibility:Android 11.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM; Samsung Galaxy phone required for Energy Score, ECG, Sleep Apnea, and IHRN features
Operating System:Wear OS 5 powered by Samsung (One UI 6 Watch)
Case Size:44mm (44.4 x 44.4 x 9.7 mm) or 40mm (40.4 x 40.4 x 9.7 mm)
Case Material:Armor Aluminum 2 case; Sapphire Crystal glass
Display Type:Super AMOLED; Always-On Display; Peak brightness 2000 nits
Display Size:1.5 in (44mm) / 1.3 in (40mm)
Resolution:480 x 480 pixels (44mm); 432 x 432 pixels (40mm)
Always On Display:Yes
Water Resistance:5 ATM + IP68 (water resistant up to 50 meters for 10 min)
Durability:MIL-STD-810H certified; Dust tight (IP68)
GPS:Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5); Glonass; Beidou; Galileo
Connectivity:LTE (optional); Wi-Fi 2.4+5GHz; Bluetooth 5.3; NFC
NFC Payments:Samsung Wallet / Google Wallet
Sensors:Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal + Electrical Heart + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis); Temperature sensor; Accelerometer; Barometer; Gyro sensor; Geomagnetic sensor; Light sensor
Health Features:Energy Score; Sleep Apnea detection (FDA authorized); AGEs Index; Body Composition (BIA); ECG; Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification; Cycle Tracking with skin temperature; Sleep coaching
Workout Modes:Advanced Run Coaching; Race (compete against past results); Track Back; Custom Interval Training; Swimming (Pool & Open Water); Cycling; Hiking; Circuit Training; and 100+ others via Samsung Health
Storage:32GB
Speaker Mic:Speaker; Microphone
Calls:Yes (LTE standalone or via paired phone)
Battery:425 mAh (44mm) / 300 mAh (40mm); Up to 40 hours (AOD off); Up to 30 hours (AOD on)
Charging:Fast Wireless Charging (WPC Inductive); 0-45% in approx. 30 mins
Weight:33.8 g (44mm) / 28.8 g (40mm) (Body only)
Band Sizes:Fits 20mm standard bands (One Click system)
Extras:Exynos W1000 (3nm) Processor; Galaxy AI features (Smart Reply, Voice-to-Text summaries); Double Pinch gesture
✓ Pros:
- • Significantly faster performance with new 3nm Exynos W1000 chip
- • Dual-frequency GPS improves tracking accuracy in cities
- • New health metrics: Sleep Apnea, AGEs Index, and Energy Score
- • Double the storage (32GB) compared to Watch 6
- • Lightweight and comfortable Armor Aluminum design
✗ Cons:
- • Battery life remains roughly 1 day with heavy use (requires daily charging)
- • Advanced health features (ECG, Apnea) strictly require Samsung phones
- • Charging speed is decent but slower than some competitors
- • Design is virtually identical to the previous generation
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 specific features. Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 remains a strong alternative if its strengths match your needs.
Who should buy each?
Choose Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) if:
- You want Stunning 1.4" AMOLED display with efficient 16-day battery life, Legitimate dive computer features (rated to 40m) with leakproof buttons
- Rating: 4.6★ (1856 reviews)
Choose Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 if:
- You prefer Significantly faster performance with new 3nm Exynos W1000 chip, Dual-frequency GPS improves tracking accuracy in cities
- Rating: 4.5★ (6385 reviews)
Conclusion
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) and Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 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. Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is better if you prioritize significantly faster performance with new 3nm exynos w1000 chip. 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.
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