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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerWithings ScanWatch Nova vs Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Withings ScanWatch Nova vs Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED): which is the right fit? We cover performance, value, and use cases to make the call easier.
Ratings: 4★ vs 4.6★
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Withings ScanWatch Nova
★4
(268)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone (iOS 15+) and Android (Android 9+)
Operating System:HealthSense™ OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:42mm (42 mm diameter / 1.65 in; 12.8 mm thickness)
Case Material:Case: Polished stainless steel; Bezel: Ceramic and stainless steel (rotating); Glass: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
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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: Withings ScanWatch Nova vs Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Withings ScanWatch Nova
★4(268)Amazon
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
★4.6(1,856)Amazon
| Criterion | Withings ScanWatch Nova | Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4(268)Amazon | ★4.6(1,856)Amazon |
Compatibility | iPhone (iOS 15+) and Android (Android 9+) | iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required) |
Operating System | HealthSense™ OS (Proprietary) | Garmin OS (Proprietary) |
Case Size | 42mm (42 mm diameter / 1.65 in; 12.8 mm thickness) | 47mm x 47mm x 13.8mm |
Case Material | Case: Polished stainless steel; Bezel: Ceramic and stainless steel (rotating); Glass: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal | Fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover; Bezel: Titanium or Stainless Steel; Lens: Sapphire Crystal or Corning Gorilla Glass |
Display Type | Grayscale OLED (0.63 inch) + Analog hands (Hybrid) | AMOLED; Always-On Mode available; 1000 nits peak brightness |
Display Size | 0.63 in (digital screen) | 1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter |
Resolution | 14,504 pixels (282 PPI) | 454 x 454 pixels |
Always On Display | Yes (Analog hands always visible) | Yes (optional) |
Water Resistance | 10 ATM (100 meters) | 10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters); Dive rated (EN13319) to 40 meters |
Durability | Sapphire crystal face; Stainless steel case; Ceramic bezel; 5-year guarantee (region dependent) | MIL-STD-810H thermal/shock/water tested; Leakproof inductive buttons; Metal sensor guard |
GPS | Connected GPS (Requires smartphone connection) | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou |
Connectivity | Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) | Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi |
NFC Payments | No (Not supported) | Garmin Pay |
Sensors | Multi-wavelength PPG (Heart rate/SpO2); TempTech24/7 Module (Body temp); High Dynamic Range Accelerometer; Altimeter; ECG electrodes | 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 | ECG (AFib detection); Body temperature variation (day/night); Blood oxygen (SpO2); Sleep quality score; Respiratory scan; Heart rate variability (HRV) | 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 | 40+ sports modes; Automatic activity detection (Walking, Running, Swimming, Cycling); Fitness Level (VO2 max estimation) | 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 | Free unlimited online storage; 7 days of data stored on watch | 32GB |
Speaker Mic | No (No built-in speaker or microphone) | Built-in Speaker; Built-in Microphone (Voice Assistant & Voice Notes) |
Calls | No (Notification alerts only) | Yes (Make and take calls via Bluetooth connection to smartphone) |
Battery | Up to 30 days (Standard use); Rechargeable Lithium-ion | 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 | USB-C compatible docking station (approx. 2 hours to 100%) | Garmin proprietary plug charger (clip-on data cable) |
Weight | 63 g (2.22 oz) without wristband | Stainless Steel: 80g (Case only: 59g); Titanium: 73g (Case only: 52g) |
Band Sizes | Fits wrist sizes (approx. 163–239 mm); Standard 20 mm lug width | Fits wrists 125–208mm (Silicone); QuickFit 22mm compatible |
Extras | Luminova hands/indexes; Digital crown for navigation; Stopwatch; Timer; Alarm; Breathwork; Apple Health & Google Fit sync | Built-in LED Flashlight (Red/White strobes); Dynamic Round-Trip Routing; Garmin Messenger app; Outdoor Maps+ (subscription optional); SkiView Maps |
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Withings ScanWatch Nova
Rating:★4(268)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone (iOS 15+) and Android (Android 9+)
Operating System:HealthSense™ OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:42mm (42 mm diameter / 1.65 in; 12.8 mm thickness)
Case Material:Case: Polished stainless steel; Bezel: Ceramic and stainless steel (rotating); Glass: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Display Type:Grayscale OLED (0.63 inch) + Analog hands (Hybrid)
Display Size:0.63 in (digital screen)
Resolution:14,504 pixels (282 PPI)
Always On Display:Yes (Analog hands always visible)
Water Resistance:10 ATM (100 meters)
Durability:Sapphire crystal face; Stainless steel case; Ceramic bezel; 5-year guarantee (region dependent)
GPS:Connected GPS (Requires smartphone connection)
Connectivity:Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
NFC Payments:No (Not supported)
Sensors:Multi-wavelength PPG (Heart rate/SpO2); TempTech24/7 Module (Body temp); High Dynamic Range Accelerometer; Altimeter; ECG electrodes
Health Features:ECG (AFib detection); Body temperature variation (day/night); Blood oxygen (SpO2); Sleep quality score; Respiratory scan; Heart rate variability (HRV)
Workout Modes:40+ sports modes; Automatic activity detection (Walking, Running, Swimming, Cycling); Fitness Level (VO2 max estimation)
Storage:Free unlimited online storage; 7 days of data stored on watch
Speaker Mic:No (No built-in speaker or microphone)
Calls:No (Notification alerts only)
Battery:Up to 30 days (Standard use); Rechargeable Lithium-ion
Charging:USB-C compatible docking station (approx. 2 hours to 100%)
Weight:63 g (2.22 oz) without wristband
Band Sizes:Fits wrist sizes (approx. 163–239 mm); Standard 20 mm lug width
Extras:Luminova hands/indexes; Digital crown for navigation; Stopwatch; Timer; Alarm; Breathwork; Apple Health & Google Fit sync
✓ Pros:
- • Elegant 'diver' aesthetic with ceramic bezel and sapphire glass
- • Clinical-grade health sensors (ECG, SpO2, Temperature) in a non-intrusive form factor
- • Exceptional battery life (30 days) compared to standard smartwatches
- • Water-resistant to 10 ATM (100m), suitable for swimming and snorkeling
- • Distraction-free interface with a small, discreet digital screen
✗ Cons:
- • Small monochrome screen limits notification readability and smart features
- • No built-in GPS (relies on phone connection for tracking routes)
- • No music controls, NFC payments, or third-party apps
- • Heavy on the wrist (63g watch head only) due to steel construction
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?
Overall, Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) delivers better satisfaction. Withings ScanWatch Nova is still a quality option with specific strengths worth considering.
Who should buy each?
Choose Withings ScanWatch Nova if:
- You want Elegant 'diver' aesthetic with ceramic bezel and sapphire glass, Clinical-grade health sensors (ECG, SpO2, Temperature) in a non-intrusive form factor
- Rating: 4★ (268 reviews)
Choose Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) if:
- You prefer 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)
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?
Withings ScanWatch Nova excels if you value elegant 'diver' aesthetic with ceramic bezel and sapphire glass. 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.
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