Key Takeaways
1. The Garmin Fenix 8 Solar shares many components with the Fenix 7X Solar, including the MIP display and main processor.
2. Key upgrades include the new Synaptics SYN4778 multi-band GNSS chip and the addition of a microphone and speaker.
3. The Fenix 8 Solar features a larger 618mAh battery compared to its predecessor.
4. It has new hardware elements that support voice commands and messaging functionalities.
5. The latest user interface offers enhanced features exclusive to the Fenix 8 generation.
A recent disassembly of the Garmin Fenix 8 Solar has uncovered insights into the internal components of this smartwatch. Launched in August 2024, the Fenix 8 Solar is branded as a high-end multisport device, alongside the Fenix 8 AMOLED and Fenix E smartwatches.
Insights from the Teardown
Ferhad Fidan from F Tipi Blog has posted findings from the teardown of the Fenix 8 Solar 51 mm watch (curr. $1,199.99 at Amazon). This latest device shares many features with the Fenix 7X Solar smartwatch. Among these are the Sharp LS014B7DD01 memory-in-pixel (MIP) display and the main processor, the NXP i.MX RT500 (MRT595SFFOC). Other similar components include the Ambiq Micro Apollo 3 sensor hub chip and the Silicon Labs RS9116-B00 dual-mode WiFi and Bluetooth chip.
New Features and Upgrades
Compared to the Fenix 7X, the Fenix 8 Solar has received several upgrades, including the introduction of the Synaptics SYN4778 multi-band GNSS chip, which supports various satellite navigation systems like GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo. It also features a new microphone and speaker, absent in the previous version. Furthermore, there is a bigger 618mAh battery, although the manufacturer is not specified. Additional updates appear to be the STMicroelectronics S4-420 3-axis accelerometer and gyroscope, along with the 32 GB Foresee eMMC storage chip.
Similarities and New Features
The teardown indicates that the Garmin Fenix 8 Solar smartwatch is fundamentally similar to the Fenix 7X Solar. However, the addition of new hardware elements, such as the speaker and microphone, enables functionalities like voice commands and messaging. Moreover, the latest user interface includes a variety of enhanced features that are exclusive to the newest generation of watches.
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