Fenix 8 series: Has Garmin pushed pricing too far?

We saw today the official unveiling of the Garmin Fenix 8 series, Fenix E and Enduro 3 earlier today. You can check them all out on Garmin’s website. While these new offerings bring a few upgrades to the table, they also come with a price increase that has caught our attention.

To recap, the improvements pretty much boil down to slightly larger displays for some models, the devices are a bit thinner, they have a dive rating and improved water-proofing of the buttons, along with longer battery life. Also, you now get Garmin Share support, a new training feature called Workout Advantage and a Course and Weather Specific Race Predictor. So some nice upgrades but not really anything revolutionary.

Price points: A noticeable shift

What is slightly worrying, though, is the pricing. The new Fenix 8 series starts at $1,000 for the base model, marking a $200 increase from the entry-level Fenix 7 Pro.

MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) fans were thrilled the company opted to retain that display option. Unfortunately, the price hike is most evident in the models featuring MIP screens.

Unlike the Fenix 7 Pro series, which offered non-sapphire display options, the Fenix 8 MIP models all come with sapphire displays, which adds $100 to the cost. This means, the most affordable Fenix 8 with a MIP display—the 47mm Solar model—starts at $1,100. Yikes!

For those interested in AMOLED displays, the Fenix 8 AMOLED versions are priced $100 higher than their Epix Pro Gen 2 counterparts. Which is not as bad. But it’s still a price hike.

I remember a couple of years back when the Forerunner 955 was released. What impressed me was that, despite the upgrades, Garmin kept its pricing identical to the Forerunner 945. And it prompted me to upgrade my watch. Perhaps the company has reconsidered this strategy and is becoming more aggressive in pricing?

Essential reading: Best fitness trackers and health gadgets

Retailing for $900, you could even say that the Enduro 3 is now the budget model! But with a single 51mm diameter size, you need huge wrists to wear that one. So it’s clearly not for everyone.

Of course, there’s also the Fenix E which starts at $800. But this model uses an older heart rate sensor, lacks a few features and is only available with an AMOLED display. Plus it doesn’t offer a MIP variant.

Availability: Varied waiting times

The availability of the new Fenix and Enduro models varies significantly:

• Fenix 8 47mm AMOLED: 1-3 business days
• Fenix 8 43mm and 51mm AMOLED: 2-3 weeks
• Fenix 8 47mm and 51mm Solar MIP: 5-8 weeks
• Fenix E 47mm AMOLED: 3-5 weeks
• Enduro 3: 1-2 weeks

These timelines suggest that some models, particularly the MIP versions, may face initial supply constraints.

Here’s a table with all the details for the Fenix range.

And how about this table!? The trend is clear…

Implications

So what are we to make of all of this? The increased pricing of the Fenix 8 series may lead some consumers to consider alternatives. On the other hand, previous generation models like the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro Gen 2 series should see some nice price reductions, offering good value for those who don’t need the latest and greatest device.

And let’s not forget. Despite the higher prices, Garmin watches are known for their durability and comprehensive feature sets. For those prioritizing a top-tier multisport watch, the investment may be justifiable. Whatever Garmin watch you buy, you can rest assured it will serve you reliably for many years. But you do need to have deep pockets.

Like this article? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and never miss out!