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I'm currently happy with my Fenix 7 Pro solar sapphire!!! The battery is superb but can't say the same for the Fenix 8 Pro with AMOLED display; it defeats the purpose of long battery life.
I'm currently happy with my Fenix 7 Pro solar sapphire!!! The battery is superb but can't say the same for the Fenix 8 Pro with AMOLED display; it defeats the purpose of long battery life.
Man, same.. I don't think I'll pull the trigger on a new watch unless it drops way lower!
Fenix 7 was worth it!
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Just a heads up for those shopping for a watch. You can use your FSA account to buy a smart watch. You just need a letter of medical necessity. So if you have enough in the FSA account you can buy a Garmin through Garmin site and do a survey through truemed to get that LMN. Just make sure the watch says it is eligible for FSA/HSA.
inReach is a pretty big feature if you ever end up needing it, but otherwise I don't know what the 8 added over the 7.
More sensors, ostensibly a unified software platform (which does show some problems here and there), doodads like Morning Report, and that's about it.
Regarding inReach, it feels somewhat useless TBH. If you are in the business of truly needing emergency connectivity, you will most likely get a dedicated device like a GPS unit or a pure inReach unit; you will not rely just on your puny watch. For the rest of us, inReach subscription is hardly justified, so it would be a great feature if it worked as the "Emergency call" feature on modern cellphones (you might not have a plan but you can still call 911) or at the very least as a post-paid feature. Neither of which is true as far as I understand.
Last edited by Enceladus May 16, 2026 at 09:23 AM.
I've read that Garmin watches have longer battery lofe by running a neutered version of android OS. I have a Galaxy that needs to be charged basicly every day. What do owners think
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I'm currently happy with my Fenix 7 Pro solar sapphire!!! The battery is superb but can't say the same for the Fenix 8 Pro with AMOLED display; it defeats the purpose of long battery life.
First time Garmin owner, and decided to splurge on the fenix 8 amoled + sapphire glass. I came from the line of samsung galaxy watches, with the ultra being the last one i used. And for me, anything that last more than a day on a full battery is crazy work for me haha.
I've read that Garmin watches have longer battery lofe by running a neutered version of android OS. I have a Galaxy that needs to be charged basicly every day. What do owners think
it is not neutered version of android, it is not andriod anything.
it is good and bad, good is that my epic (which is basically this) runs 6 days always on.
bad is that there is next to no smart watch features if you come from wearOS.
consider this is a upgraded casio with some of the best fitness tracking features.
i can at least say that I use one on daily basis instead of other watches.
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Fenix 7 was worth it!
Fenix 7 was worth it!
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank 10PunchMan
inReach is a pretty big feature if you ever end up needing it, but otherwise I don't know what the 8 added over the 7.
Regarding inReach, it feels somewhat useless TBH. If you are in the business of truly needing emergency connectivity, you will most likely get a dedicated device like a GPS unit or a pure inReach unit; you will not rely just on your puny watch. For the rest of us, inReach subscription is hardly justified, so it would be a great feature if it worked as the "Emergency call" feature on modern cellphones (you might not have a plan but you can still call 911) or at the very least as a post-paid feature. Neither of which is true as far as I understand.
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it is good and bad, good is that my epic (which is basically this) runs 6 days always on.
bad is that there is next to no smart watch features if you come from wearOS.
consider this is a upgraded casio with some of the best fitness tracking features.
i can at least say that I use one on daily basis instead of other watches.
Join The Conversation
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!