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Disappointment - No Fenix 8 Pro MIP Solar

Nine
7 days ago

I've been a long-time Garmin user, starting with the Fenix 3 HR, and have always appreciated what Garmin stood for, reliable, rugged devices with exceptional battery life, especially through MIP Solar technology.

So I've to say, I'm extremely disappointed with the Fenix 8 Pro launch.

No MIP Solar version? Seriously, what was the product team thinking?

I was really hoping for a Fenix 8 Pro with MIP Solar, LTE-M, and InReach tech. That would've been the perfect upgrade. But instead, Garmin seems to be abandoning MIP technology altogether, in favour of AMOLED and now MicroLED.

I get it,  AMOLED screens look flashy and help sell units to the general smartwatch crowd. But Garmin isn’t just another smartwatch company. It's a brand trusted by athletes, outdoor adventurers, and serious users who depend on durability, visibility in all conditions, and, most importantly, battery life.

MIP displays have improved significantly since the Fenix 7 series. They're  more efficient and more readable in sunlight, something AMOLED still struggles with. Battery life on MIP Solar watches is one of Garmin's biggest strengths, and it’s why so many of us chose Garmin over other brands.

AMOLED or MicroLED makes sense on the Marq series, sure. But for a watch marketed as a “multisport GPS smartwatch for serious athletes and adventurers” AMOLED makes no sense. The always-on AMOLED feature is a battery hog and not remotely comparable to the efficiency and reliability of MIP. 

I’ve tried both the Epix Gen2 and the Fenix 8 AMOLED models and they’re just not for me. The displays are undeniably vibrant, but the hit to battery life, visibility in direct sunlight, and general usability in outdoor environments make them a poor tradeoff, especially for long-term daily use and frequent travellers.

Even worse, I'm seeing reports of up to 60% reduction in battery efficiency with the Fenix 8 Pro MicroLED models. This is just baffling for a product that’s supposed to be designed for endurance use.

MIP Solar is Garmin’s niche and a major differentiator in the wearables space. If they’re truly planning to abandon it, I imagine many loyal users will start looking elsewhere. Myself included.

If this is the new direction for the Fenix series, then after nearly a decade in Garmin’s ecosystem, I may have to move on.

Anyone else feeling the same way?

  • 0 7 days ago

    Hallo Neun.

    Ich bin ganz bei Dir. Erster Schritt ist, dass ich meine alte Fenix 7x Saphire Solar nicht verkauft habe.

    Die Fenix 8 51mm MIP habe ich gekauft und diese erfüllt gerade so meine Laufzeiterwartungen.

    Wenn Garmin jedoch den Weg der MIP Solar Uhren komplett verläßt, bin ich auch kein Neukäufer mehr. Dann behalte ich die alten Uhren, bis entweder ich, oder die Uhr auseinanderfällt.

    Ich finde es unheimlich schade......

  • 0 7 days ago

    I fully support you, Nine! You voiced all my thoughts. The MIP in Fenix 8 is almost perfect and I love it. If Garmin refuses to use the MIP further, I will probably have to leave Garmin also after using all the models for many years...

  • 0 7 days ago

    I agree with you. But Garmin will for sure keep the MIP display in the Enduro series. So if you need Fenix 8 pro features and a MIP display, stay tuned for the Enduro 3 pro (or whatever they will call it) Slight smile.

  • 0 7 days ago in reply to #Matthias#

    But I don't want Enduro. Enduro can't give me all features and 47 mm size. We need Fenix MIP 47 mm...

  • 0 7 days ago in reply to Octopus 82

    I also think the same NO MIP NO GARMIN  main reason i like this watch is the MIP display i DONT WONT to have any amoled or micro led watch xi dont like then i dont wont to have this types of watches

  • 0 7 days ago in reply to Hotte_X

    Hello Hotte_X,

    Likewise, I don't think I'll ever sell my Fenix 7 and 8 Solar Sapphire (47mm) now. Like I said, I bought the Epix Gen2 when it was released but returned it after just a week of use. I've been using the Fenix MIP series for about a decade now, and it's the only one that has truly stood the test of time.

    Current device list from my Connect app is below. Besides my F7 MIP 47mm and F8 MIP 47mm, I also have a F6 Pro MIP 47mm, F5 Plus MIP 47mm, and F6S MIP 42mm. That’s a total of five Fenix MIP watches in my family. We’re waiting for an LTE version of the Fenix i.e., Fenix 8 Pro MIP Solar as a solid upgrade, but it’s been a huge disappointment to see that no MIP version was released with the F8 Pro launch.

  • 0 7 days ago in reply to #Matthias#

    Unfortunately, the Enduro doesn't come in a 47mm size and doesn't check all the boxes in terms of features that the Fenix series offers.

  • 0 7 days ago in reply to Nine

    If enduro have 47mm i will buy it for sure but the 51 is HUGEEE

  • 0 7 days ago

    I've been a product manager for most of my career. My thought process would've been if I need to add LTE-M, GEO SAT comms, flashlight, smartwatch features, GPS, etc., I’d choose MIP over AMOLED due to the battery efficiency of MIP displays. But of course, I don’t make the product engineering decisions at Garmin.

    Imagine if Microsoft removed the rows and columns feature from Excel - that’s exactly what Garmin has done with the Fenix 8 Pro series by removing the MIP display.

    The Fenix series fits into every setting, business, casual, indoor/outdoor sports, you name it. From the boardroom to a party, from cycling and hiking to swimming and smartwatch use, it checks all the boxes. Just swap the wristband, and it's a different style of watch altogether.

    I travel all over the globe, and the Fenix MIP series, starting with the 3 HR, hasn’t disappointed me once. It lasts about 10 days with mixed usage, business meetings, smartwatch features, cycling, swimming, hiking, sleep tracking, etc.

    The core purpose of a watch is to show time, and it’s supposed to be always on and available. This is exactly what the MIP display offers.

    I’m just annoyed and venting my frustration here.