Garmin adds many features to make the Fenix ​​8 smarter

Garmin is back with two new rugged smartwatches: the all-new Fenix ​​8 and Enduro 3. The $999.99 Fenix ​​8, one of Garmin’s top-of-the-line flagships, will feature a built-in speaker and microphone, as well as several new training features. Meanwhile, the $899.99 Enduro 3 will feature an LED flashlight and solar charging to extend battery life up to 320 hours in GPS mode.

If the Fenix ​​8 updates have one common goal this time around, it’s to make the device smarter while giving athletes more choices. For example, it now has a built-in speaker and microphone so you can make and receive phone calls from your wrist. You’ll also be able to issue voice commands like “set a timer for 5 minutes.” For voice commands, a connection to your phone is also not required.

This isn’t new to the Garmin ecosystem (the Venu 2 Plus was the first to add voice capabilities), but it wasn’t something you could do on the Fenix ​​lineup. Garmin is also adding a new Garmin Messenger app, which will let you communicate with friends and family from your wrist. (The caveat is that both you and the person you’re texting need to have the Garmin Messenger app installed on your phones.)

The Fenix ​​8 will also let you choose whether you want an OLED display or an always-on solar charging display. The former will be available in 43mm, 47mm, and 51mm. It continues Garmin’s trend of adding OLED to all of its watches.

However, many outdoor enthusiasts prefer low-power displays that last longer during activities. For those people, Garmin says the new solar display option is more effective this time around, though it still depends on usage. The solar models come in 47mm and 51mm sizes, with estimated battery life of 29 and 48 days. That’s significantly longer than the standard Fenix ​​8 models, which get 10 (43mm), 16 (47mm), or 29 (51mm) days.

Design-wise, the Fenix ​​8 also gets a new sensor guard and “waterproof” metal buttons. It will also feature the LED flashlights and ECG features that Garmin introduced on the Fenix ​​7 Pro and Epix Pro last year. For new fitness features, Garmin is adding advanced strength training with targeted workouts of 4 to 6 programs tailored to specific sports. It also adds diving capabilities and a new map interface.

The Enduro 3 also gets the same updates. Namely the built-in flashlight, advanced strength training programs, the Garmin Messenger app, EKGs, and now solar charging. Solar charging makes sense for the Enduro line, which, as the name suggests, is aimed at ultra-endurance athletes. The solar lens is said to offer up to 320 hours of battery life in GPS mode and 120 hours of GPS with the more power-hungry dual-frequency GPS.

The Fenix ​​8 and Enduro 3 will be available starting today. The Fenix ​​8 will start at $999.99, with some models selling for as much as $1,199.99. The Enduro 3 will retail for $899.99.