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Garmin fēnix 5 vs Garmin fēnix 8 Solar

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Garminfēnix 5Garminfēnix 8 Solar
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2017August 2024
Display
Case sizes47 mm47 mm or 51 mm
PanelMemory-in-pixelMemory-in-pixel
Always-on displayYesYes
Display detail1.2-inch (30.5 mm) always-on transflective colour display, 240 x 240 pixels, with button controls.Always-visible sunlight-readable transflective colour memory-in-pixel (MIP) touchscreen, five leakproof inductive buttons. 47 mm: 33 mm (1.3 inch), 260 x 260 pixels. 51 mm: 35.56 mm (1.4 inch), 280 x 280 pixels.
Screen protection–Power Sapphire solar charging lens
Health and fitness
ECGNoYes
Blood oxygenNoYes
Skin temperatureNoYes
Sleep apnoea alertsNoNo
High blood pressure alertsNoNo
Body compositionNoNo
Fall detectionNoNo
Crash detectionNoNo
GPSSingle-bandDual-band (L1 and L5)
Water resistance100 m100 m
SensorsGPS, GLONASS, Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate, barometric altimeter, three-axis compass, gyroscope, accelerometer and thermometer.GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS and BeiDou; SatIQ automatic multi-band selection; Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate, Pulse Ox, barometric altimeter, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, thermometer, ambient light and depth sensor to 40 m.
Health featuresWrist heart rate, steps, sleep and stress tracking.Garmin ECG App where regionally available with compatible phone and watch software; Pulse Ox availability varies by country. HRV status, Body Battery, health status/snapshot, skin temperature, sleep coach/score/alignment, breathing variations, nap detection, stress/respiration tracking, lifestyle logging, jet lag adviser and menstrual-cycle/pregnancy tracking. Current maker table includes smart wake alarm and past ovulation estimates.
Fitness featuresRunning, cycling, pool and open-water swimming, skiing, golf and paddle-sport profiles; training status, training effect, VO2 max, recovery advisor and course/track navigation. Running dynamics require a compatible heart-rate strap.Training readiness/status, training load/focus/effect, endurance and hill scores, running tolerance, running power/dynamics, PacePro, ClimbPro, real-time stamina and recovery time. Running economy and step speed loss require a compatible accessory. Garmin running, cycling, strength and triathlon coaching. Scuba single-gas air/nitrox (21–40% oxygen) and apnea modes, EN 13319 depth sensor to 40 m; dive rating is distinct from 10 ATM surface water resistance. Golf, ski, climbing, cycling, swimming, multisport and strength activity profiles. Preloaded TopoActive maps on these Sapphire versions, downloadable regional maps over Wi-Fi, dynamic round-trip routing, NextFork, routes and turn-by-turn directions; golf and SkiView maps. Optional Outdoor Maps+ subscription adds premium maps. No need for a phone to follow stored maps/routes.
Safety features–LED flashlight with white/red light and strobe. Incident detection, assistance, LiveTrack and live event sharing require a compatible paired phone and appropriate connectivity. Can control a separate compatible inReach device; LTE/satellite/SOS built into fēnix 8 Pro are not features of this Solar model.
Battery and connections
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 14 daysUp to 30 days
In low-power mode–Up to 48 days
Mobile data optionNoNo
Works withiPhone and AndroidiPhone and Android
Storage–32 GB
Battery life detailUp to 14 days in smartwatch mode, 21 hours in GPS mode or 44 hours in UltraTrac with wrist heart rate on, according to the Singapore product specification.Headline figures are 51 mm without solar: up to 30 days smartwatch and 48 days battery-saver watch mode. 47 mm: smartwatch 21 days/28 with solar; saver 34/58 days; GPS-only 67/92 h; all satellites 48/59 h on current UK web table (September 2026 owner guide instead says 49 h with solar); multi-band 37/43 h; all satellites plus music 13 h; maximum-battery GPS 132/283 h; expedition 34/58 days. 51 mm: smartwatch 30/48 days; saver 48/107 days; GPS-only 95/149 h; all satellites 68/92 h; multi-band 52/65 h; music 18 h; maximum-battery GPS 186/653 h; expedition 50/118 days. Solar watch/saver/expedition claims assume all-day wear with three hours daily outside at 50,000 lux; GPS solar claims assume use outside at 50,000 lux, with typical SatIQ use for multi-band. Actual battery life depends on enabled features.
ChargingRechargeable lithium-ion battery.Garmin proprietary plug cable to USB-C computer port or AC adaptor rated at least 5 W, per current owner guide. Lithium-ion battery. Solar charging stops when fully charged or connected to external power.
ConnectivityANT+ and Bluetooth smartphone pairing; smart notifications, Garmin Connect and Connect IQ; phone music controls.Bluetooth, ANT+ and Wi-Fi. Calls use a paired phone; offline watch voice commands and voice notes use the built-in microphone/speaker. Garmin Messenger requires a paired phone/app for ordinary messages. Garmin Pay with supported banks; downloaded local music or supported subscription music services; Connect IQ apps and Garmin Share.
Design
Weight (lightest version)85 g80 g
SoftwareGarminGarmin
Case materialsStainless steel bezel, buttons and rear case with silicone band; 10 ATM water rating.Titanium bezel (natural or Carbon Grey DLC), fibre-reinforced polymer case and metal rear cover; silicone band.
Size47 x 47 x 15.5 mm; 85 g with silicone band.47 mm: 47 x 47 x 15.2 mm. 51 mm: 51 x 51 x 15.4 mm. Silicone wrist fit: 125–208 mm (47 mm), 127–210 mm (51 mm). QuickFit 22 mm and 26 mm bands respectively. 47 mm 80 g with band, 57 g case only; 51 mm 95 g with band, 67 g case only. Headline weight describes 47 mm with supplied silicone band.
Reference and release detail–Maker announced 27 August 2024; its Italian launch page states both Solar sizes were available that day. UK first shipping day is not independently established.
BandsQuickFit interchangeable band.–
ColoursGrey case with black silicone band.–

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