Fenix 8 Pro out, will Mk4 be based on Fenix 8 or Fenix 8 Pro?

I hope I am wrong (and satellite connectivity is a perfect use case for diving), but I would guess that the Mk4 will be based on the Fenix 8, not the Fenix 8 Pro.  The Mk series usually lags the latest Fenix release, plus the new LTE/satellite sensors have a huge space requirement.  Including connectivity and dive sensors into an Mk will require downsizing components or an even bigger case.   

I think the Mk3i was the Fenix 7/Epix 2 (non-Pro) based on in that sense, probably safe bet is the non-Pro based Mk4.

But if they wait for a year and launch Mk4 without any satellite/LTE features I would think people would be so disappointed that would that sell much, what would it bring to the table? And then next iteration for Mk5 would be 2029 for the 3 year release cycle. 

Size of the 51mm Fenix 8 Pro AMOLED, was height wise same as the Descent Mk3i 16,5mm, Fenix 8 is just 14,7mm, Epix 2 was 14,5mm. So extra Diving stuff seems to be about 2mm same as the LTE/Satellite stuff, so in this basic math combining all them worst case would be about 19mm. Is that then show stopper, don't know and is that what would be the case be if all put into one unit.

Going to square would also give more space for inside, but that's not really something that one would expect happening as then there would be first the square watch to base next Descent. 

Going square like venu x1 solves the thickness problem, gives you a massive screen and space for the antennas, maybe even solar charging around bezel, I think it would be amazing

the descent 51mm is too thick as it is for every day use, which given the price they should be used daily, I think garmin have won the race for feature set, its incredible given dive features theres nothing closet it on the market, they really need to focus on aesthetics and practicality, get some design people in to shake up the g shock look, I think X1 looks amazing they should have put microled on a square version of fenix 8 pro

With X1 they really went for the slim and cut features to archive that. That was interesting decision. 

Initially I thought Mk3i 51mm be huge compared the Forerunner's I had previously, but with UltraFit band I've daily driven it and don't find it too big, it's kind of what you get used to. So in that sense Fenix 8 Pro 51mm AMOLED would be size wise very ok for me.

Fenix 8 Pro 51mm AMOLED: 51 x 51 x 16.5 mm, case only: 65 g
Descent Mk3i 51mm: 51 x 51 x 16.4 mm, no bands: 77.8 g

Microled was big flop, just don't get it. Why bring it if it doesn't even give any battery life benefits as we all have thought it to give? Descent's AMOLED has been bright enough in any condition, F8 Pro has better one, so hard to see reason for microled for that battery burn. 

I went from mk2 51mm to fenix 8 47mm because of thickness, mk2 used to attract too much attention because of its size, catches jacket etc at work, but was otherwise too useful to not wear daily, esp pay and music

Is the amoled in fenix 8 pro different to regular fenix 8 amoled?

Yes. it's the more brighter ones, Garmin doesn't give nits to them, but Ray's estimate is like 1000 -> 2000. 

"– Increased display brightness to match that of Forerunner 970 & Venu X1 (roughly 2,000 nits is estimated)"

"In any case, for the Fenix 8/Pro MicroLED variants, Garmin states that it’s the brightest display in a smartwatch anywhere. And that seems to be true. Well, at least for a few days anyway. The display has a peak brightness of 4,500 nits, which is well in excess of any other display out there today, the brightest AMOLED ones floating around 3,000 nits, and most of Garmin’s existing ones like the Fenix 8 are assumed to be 1,000-nit displays."

Next Mk Series should be Nov 2026 release, so Garmin have 15 months to base it off the Fenix 8 Pro.

Lets hope thats enough time to squeeze in LTE/Satellite and something else new for Diving, what ever that might be, without it becoming 3 inches thick.

The satellite connection makes obvious sense on a dive watch and would be a significant seperator from any other brands, you'd still need a plb but v useful 

The F8 Pro AMOLED is already getting up pretty high in price, imagine how much an Mk4 will be with LTE/Sat 

I'll probably buy one anyway