Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED vs Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2
The Epix Pro Gen 2 is the better watch on paper: it lasts longer on GPS (82 hours) and lasts longer (31 days). Pick the fenix 8 AMOLED only if it matters to you that it uses more satellite systems.
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Key differences
-
Battery life
Epix Pro Gen 2 wins
The Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 lasts up to 31 days against 16 days.
-
GPS
Evenly matched
Both have built-in GPS with similar features.
-
Display
Evenly matched
Both have AMOLED screens of a similar size.
-
Health
Evenly matched
Much the same health sensors.
-
Weight
Evenly matched
Similar weight: 59 g and 60 g.
Other differences
- Satellite systems fenix 8 AMOLED wins
The fenix 8 AMOLED uses 5 satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou) against 3, which helps it lock on faster.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the fenix 8 AMOLED if…
- You want a quick GPS lock anywhere: it uses more satellite systems.
- You prefer its look and app: it covers the same essentials as the Epix Pro Gen 2.
Choose the Epix Pro Gen 2 if…
- You do long runs, rides or hikes: it's rated for 82 hours with GPS.
- You hate charging: it's rated for up to 31 days in smartwatch mode.
Full spec comparison
The Epix Pro Gen 2 leads on battery life; elsewhere the two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Overview
| Spec | Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED | Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Garmin | Garmin |
| Series | fēnix | Epix |
| Versions | fēnix 8 (43 mm, AMOLED), fēnix 8 (51 mm, AMOLED) | epix Pro (Gen 2) – Sapphire Edition | 42 mm, epix Pro (Gen 2) – Sapphire Edition | 47 mm, epix Pro (Gen 2) – Sapphire Edition | 51 mm |
Platform & apps
Both work with the same phones and software.
| Spec | Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED | Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Garmin | Garmin |
| Works with | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
| Storage | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| App store | Yes | Yes |
Display
The screens are closely matched.
| Spec | Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED | Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Screen size | 1.4 in | 1.4 in |
| Resolution | 454 x 454 | 454 x 454 |
| Colour display | Yes | Yes |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touchscreen, buttons | touchscreen |
Design & durability
Both are similar in size, weight and water rating.
| Spec | Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED | Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Case sizes | 43 / 47 / 51 mm | 42 / 47 / 51 mm |
| Case shape | Round | Round |
| Dimensions | 47 x 47 x 13.8 mm | 51 x 51 x 15 mm |
| Thickness | 13.8 mm | 15 mm |
| Weight (case) | 59 g | 60 g |
| Weight with band | 80 g | 88 g |
| Case material | fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover | fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium rear cover |
| Bezel material | stainless steel or titanium | titanium |
| Lens | Corning Gorilla Glass or sapphire crystal | Sapphire crystal |
| Back material | metal rear cover | titanium |
| Band material | silicone | silicone |
| Band width | 22 mm | 26 mm |
| Band fitting | QuickFit 22 mm | QuickFit 26 mm |
| Fits wrists | 125-208 mm | 127-210 mm |
| Water resistance | 10 ATM | 10 ATM |
Battery
The Epix Pro Gen 2 is ahead on battery life.
It lasts longer on GPS (82 hours) and lasts longer (31 days), and the fenix 8 AMOLED doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED | Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (smartwatch mode) | 16 days | 31 days |
| Battery (GPS) | 47 hours | 3.4 days |
| Battery (multi-band GPS) | 35 hours | 38 hours |
| All battery modes | Smartwatch: 16 days; Battery saver: 23 days; GPS: 47 hours; All satellite systems: 38 hours; Multi-band GPS: 35 hours; Multi-band GPS + music: 10 hours; Max battery GPS: 3.4 days | Smartwatch: 31 days; Always-on display: 11 days; GPS: 3.4 days; All satellite systems: 2.6 days; Multi-band GPS: 38 hours; GPS: 17 hours; Max battery GPS: 6 days; Battery saver: 41 days |
| Battery type | Lithium ion | Lithium ion |
| Charging | proprietary-plug | proprietary-plug |
GPS & navigation
The fenix 8 AMOLED is ahead on GPS and navigation.
It uses more satellite systems, and the Epix Pro Gen 2 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED | Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| GPS | Built-in | Built-in |
| Multi-band GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite systems | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo |
| Automatic GNSS mode | Yes | Yes |
| Maps | Downloadable maps | Preloaded maps |
| Navigation features | turn-by-turn, back-to-start, round-trip routing, climb planner, waypoints, course import | back-to-start, round-trip routing, climb planner, waypoints |
| Golf courses | 43,000 | 43,000 |
| Ski maps | Yes | Yes |
Health & sensors
Both track much the same health data.
Heart rate, sleep and the extra sensors line up closely.
| Spec | Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED | Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | optical HR, SpO2, skin temperature, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, compass, ambient light, thermometer, depth | optical HR, SpO2, skin temperature, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, compass, ambient light, thermometer |
| Heart-rate sensor | Garmin Elevate | Garmin Elevate |
| Heart-rate tracking | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| ECG | Yes | Yes |
| High/low heart-rate alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Heart-rate variability | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | Yes | Yes |
| Skin temperature | Yes | Yes |
| Respiration rate | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Sleep coaching | Sleep coaching |
| Stress tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Energy score | Body Battery | Body Battery |
| Readiness score | Training Readiness | Training Readiness |
| Cycle tracking | Yes | Yes |
Safety
Both offer much the same safety features.
| Spec | Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED | Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency SOS | Via phone | Via phone |
| Incident detection | Yes | Yes |
| Live tracking | Yes | Yes |
Training
Training features are evenly matched.
| Spec | Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED | Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Auto activity detection | Yes | Yes |
| Triathlon / multisport | Yes | Yes |
| Swim tracking | Pool and open water | Pool and open water |
| Underwater heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| Training metrics | VO2 max, training load, training effect, recovery time, race predictor, endurance score, lactate threshold, HRV status | VO2 max, training load, training effect, recovery time, race predictor, endurance score, lactate threshold, HRV status |
| Adaptive coaching | Yes | Yes |
| Running dynamics | Yes | Yes |
| Wrist running power | Yes | Yes |
| Strength rep counting | Yes | Yes |
| Heart-rate broadcast | Yes | Yes |
| External sensors | ANT+, Bluetooth HR strap, power meter, foot pod, speed/cadence, bike radar/lights, golf club tags | ANT+, HR strap, power meter, foot pod, speed/cadence, bike radar/lights, golf club tags |
| Smart trainer control | Yes | Yes |
Smart features
Both offer much the same smart features.
| Spec | Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED | Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Message replies | Android | Android |
| Calls on the watch | Yes | — |
| Speaker | Yes | — |
| Microphone | Yes | — |
| Voice assistant | maker voice | — |
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Payment service | Garmin Pay | Garmin Pay |
| Music storage | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | — | Wi-Fi |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
| Find my watch | Yes | Yes |
| Flashlight | Yes | Yes |
Diving, golf & more
Neither has a specialist edge here.
| Spec | Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED | Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist modes | golf, tactical, marine, ski | golf, tactical, marine, ski |
| Diving | Single-gas dive computer | — |
| Max dive depth | 40 m | — |
| Decompression model | Bühlmann ZHL-16c with Gradient Factors | — |
| Gases | air, nitrox | — |