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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic vs Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Time to compare Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic with Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED). We will cover the essentials so you can buy with confidence.
Ratings: 4.5★ vs 4.6★
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Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
★4.5
(920)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android 12.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM (Galaxy phone required for full feature set)
Operating System:Wear OS 6 (Powered by Samsung) with One UI 8 Watch
Case Size:46mm (46.4 x 46.0 x 10.6 mm)
Case Material:Stainless steel case; Sapphire Crystal glass (Front and Back)
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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: Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic vs Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
★4.5(920)Amazon
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
★4.6(1,856)Amazon
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic | Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.5(920)Amazon | ★4.6(1,856)Amazon |
Compatibility | Android 12.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM (Galaxy phone required for full feature set) | iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required) |
Operating System | Wear OS 6 (Powered by Samsung) with One UI 8 Watch | Garmin OS (Proprietary) |
Case Size | 46mm (46.4 x 46.0 x 10.6 mm) | 47mm x 47mm x 13.8mm |
Case Material | Stainless steel case; Sapphire Crystal glass (Front and Back) | Fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover; Bezel: Titanium or Stainless Steel; Lens: Sapphire Crystal or Corning Gorilla Glass |
Display Type | Super AMOLED Color Always-On Display | AMOLED; Always-On Mode available; 1000 nits peak brightness |
Display Size | 1.34 in (34.0 mm) | 1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter |
Resolution | 438 x 438 pixels (327 ppi) | 454 x 454 pixels |
Always On Display | Yes (Up to 3,000 nits peak brightness) | Yes (optional) |
Water Resistance | 5 ATM + IP68 (Water resistant up to 50 meters) | 10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters); Dive rated (EN13319) to 40 meters |
Durability | MIL-STD-810H military standard; Stainless steel frame | MIL-STD-810H thermal/shock/water tested; Leakproof inductive buttons; Metal sensor guard |
GPS | Dual-band GPS (L1+L5); GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou |
Connectivity | LTE (Optional); Bluetooth 5.3; Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4+5GHz); NFC | Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi |
NFC Payments | Samsung Wallet; Google Pay | Garmin Pay |
Sensors | Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal + Electrical Heart Signal + BIA); Temperature sensor; Accelerometer; Barometer; Gyro sensor; Geomagnetic sensor; Light sensor; 3D Hall sensor | 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 | Vascular Load monitoring; Antioxidant Index (AGEs); Sleep Apnea detection; ECG; Blood Pressure (market dependent); Body Composition (BIA); Cycle Tracking with skin temp | 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 Running Coach; Multisport tile; Race partner; Heart Rate Zones; Auto-detection for workouts | 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 | 64GB | 32GB |
Speaker Mic | Speaker (supports media/calls/Gemini); Microphone | Built-in Speaker; Built-in Microphone (Voice Assistant & Voice Notes) |
Calls | Yes (via Bluetooth or standalone on LTE models) | Yes (Make and take calls via Bluetooth connection to smartphone) |
Battery | 445 mAh; Up to 49 hours (typical usage); Fast wireless charging (WPC) | 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 | Fast Wireless Charging | Garmin proprietary plug charger (clip-on data cable) |
Weight | 63.5 g (without strap) | Stainless Steel: 80g (Case only: 59g); Titanium: 73g (Case only: 52g) |
Band Sizes | 20mm standard (One Click system supported) | Fits wrists 125–208mm (Silicone); QuickFit 22mm compatible |
Extras | Physical rotating bezel; Integrated Google Gemini AI; Gesture controls (Double pinch); Customizable Quick Button | Built-in LED Flashlight (Red/White strobes); Dynamic Round-Trip Routing; Garmin Messenger app; Outdoor Maps+ (subscription optional); SkiView Maps |
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Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
Rating:★4.5(920)Amazon
Compatibility:Android 12.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM (Galaxy phone required for full feature set)
Operating System:Wear OS 6 (Powered by Samsung) with One UI 8 Watch
Case Size:46mm (46.4 x 46.0 x 10.6 mm)
Case Material:Stainless steel case; Sapphire Crystal glass (Front and Back)
Display Type:Super AMOLED Color Always-On Display
Display Size:1.34 in (34.0 mm)
Resolution:438 x 438 pixels (327 ppi)
Always On Display:Yes (Up to 3,000 nits peak brightness)
Water Resistance:5 ATM + IP68 (Water resistant up to 50 meters)
Durability:MIL-STD-810H military standard; Stainless steel frame
GPS:Dual-band GPS (L1+L5); GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou
Connectivity:LTE (Optional); Bluetooth 5.3; Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4+5GHz); NFC
NFC Payments:Samsung Wallet; Google Pay
Sensors:Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal + Electrical Heart Signal + BIA); Temperature sensor; Accelerometer; Barometer; Gyro sensor; Geomagnetic sensor; Light sensor; 3D Hall sensor
Health Features:Vascular Load monitoring; Antioxidant Index (AGEs); Sleep Apnea detection; ECG; Blood Pressure (market dependent); Body Composition (BIA); Cycle Tracking with skin temp
Workout Modes:Advanced Running Coach; Multisport tile; Race partner; Heart Rate Zones; Auto-detection for workouts
Storage:64GB
Speaker Mic:Speaker (supports media/calls/Gemini); Microphone
Calls:Yes (via Bluetooth or standalone on LTE models)
Battery:445 mAh; Up to 49 hours (typical usage); Fast wireless charging (WPC)
Charging:Fast Wireless Charging
Weight:63.5 g (without strap)
Band Sizes:20mm standard (One Click system supported)
Extras:Physical rotating bezel; Integrated Google Gemini AI; Gesture controls (Double pinch); Customizable Quick Button
✓ Pros:
- • Iconic physical rotating bezel for intuitive navigation
- • Display brightness doubled to 3,000 nits (matches Ultra model)
- • Storage capacity increased to 64GB (up from 16/32GB in previous Classics)
- • Premium stainless steel build looks more like a traditional timepiece
✗ Cons:
- • Small 1.34" screen relative to the large 46mm case size (bezel takes up space)
- • Significantly heavier (63.5g) than the aluminum standard models
- • Battery (445 mAh) is smaller than the Galaxy Watch Ultra (590 mAh)
- • Some health features (AGEs, BP) are Samsung Galaxy phone exclusive
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.
Check Price on Amazon→
Which one is better?
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) is stronger in overall satisfaction, but Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic could still be the better pick if you value its unique advantages.
Who should buy each?
Expert take:
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic suits buyers who need Iconic physical rotating bezel for intuitive navigation, Display brightness doubled to 3,000 nits (matches Ultra model)
- Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) suits buyers who want Stunning 1.4" AMOLED display with efficient 16-day battery life, Legitimate dive computer features (rated to 40m) with leakproof buttons
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic excels if you value iconic physical rotating bezel for intuitive navigation. 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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