Garmin Approach S50 vs Fenix 8 51mm AMOLED
Size, specs & wrist fit compared
Which one fits you
Under 18 cm (7.1 in) round, the Fenix 8 51mm AMOLED's lugs overhang and the Approach S50's do not; the Approach S50 fills the wrist at 16–18 cm, the Fenix 8 51mm AMOLED at 19 cm and up.
What else differs
- Screen: the Fenix 8 51mm AMOLED has the larger screen, 1.4 in across against 1.2 in on the Approach S50.
- Battery: 29 days for the Fenix 8 51mm AMOLED against 10 days for the Approach S50 in everyday use; 3.5 days for the Fenix 8 51mm AMOLED against 15 hours for the Approach S50 with GPS on.
3.3mm thinner, the Approach S50 is the one that slides under a shirt cuff.
Among the 52 smartwatches 51mm across that we hold thickness for, the Fenix 8 51mm AMOLED is thinner than 98%, so it wears flatter than its width suggests.
The Fenix 8 51mm AMOLED is 8mm wider, 3.3mm thicker and 73g heavier than the Approach S50.
Approach S50
Fenix 8 51mm AMOLED
Case width
43mm
51mm+8mm
Thickness
11.4mm
14.7mm+3.3mm
Weight
29g
102g+73g
Approach S50 or Fenix 8 51mm AMOLED by wrist size
| Wrist round (mm left each side) | Approach S50≈49.5mm lug to lug, est. | Fenix 8 51mm AMOLED≈58.5mm lug to lug, est. |
|---|---|---|
| 14 cm / 5.5 in | Overhangs (2.2mm over) | Overhangs (6.7mm over) |
| 15 cm / 5.9 in | Overhangs (0.6mm over) | Overhangs (5.1mm over) |
| 16 cm / 6.3 in | Bold (1.1mm) | Overhangs (3.4mm over) |
| 17 cm / 6.7 in | Sweet spot (2.7mm) | Overhangs (1.8mm over) |
| 18 cm / 7.1 in | Sweet spot (4.3mm) | Overhangs (0.2mm over) |
| 19 cm / 7.5 in | Balanced (5.9mm) | Bold (1.4mm) |
| 20 cm / 7.9 in | Balanced (7.5mm) | Sweet spot (3mm) |
Switch or add watches
Garmin
Approach S50
Garmin
Fenix 8 51mm AMOLED
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Battery life compared
Approach S50Fenix 8 51mm AMOLED
Battery saver
—41 daysExpedition
—31 daysSmartwatch
10 days29 daysMax battery GPS
—145 hoursGPS only
15 hours84 hoursAll systems
—68 hoursAll systems + multi-band
—62 hoursAll systems with music
—18 hours
More comparisons
2D Dimension Schematics
- Garmin Approach S50 43mm × ≈49.5mm (est.) · 11.4mm thick
- Garmin Fenix 8 51mm AMOLED 51mm × ≈58.5mm (est.) · 14.7mm thick
3D preview
Approach S50 vs Fenix 8 51mm AMOLED on a wrist
Specifications
The short version
7 key specs| Spec | GarminApproach S50 | GarminFenix 8 51mm AMOLED |
|---|---|---|
| Case Width | 43mm | 51mm |
| Thickness | 11.4mm | 14.7mm |
| Weight | 29g | 102g |
| Shape | Circular | Circular |
| Display type | AMOLED (optional always-on mode) | AMOLED |
| Battery life | Smartwatch mode: Up to 10 days GPS Mode Up to 15 hours (using default display settings: gesture wake-up in Smartwatch mode and always-on while golfing) | Smartwatch: Up to 29 days (13 days always-on) Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 41 days GPS Only: Up to 84 hours (65 hours always-on) All Satellite Systems: Up to 68 hours (54 hours always-on) All Satellite Systems + Multi-band: Up to 62 hours (49 hours always-on)* All Satellite Systems + Music: Up to 18 hours Max Battery GPS: Up to 145 hours Expedition GPS: Up to 31 days *Assuming typical use with SatIQ technology |
| Released | 2025 | 2024 |
Where the specifications differ
31 differences| Spec | Garmin Approach S50 | Garmin Fenix 8 51mm AMOLED |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Battery life | Smartwatch mode: Up to 10 days GPS Mode Up to 15 hours (using default display settings: gesture wake-up in Smartwatch mode and always-on while golfing) | Smartwatch: Up to 29 days (13 days always-on) Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 41 days GPS Only: Up to 84 hours (65 hours always-on) All Satellite Systems: Up to 68 hours (54 hours always-on) All Satellite Systems + Multi-band: Up to 62 hours (49 hours always-on)* All Satellite Systems + Music: Up to 18 hours Max Battery GPS: Up to 145 hours Expedition GPS: Up to 31 days *Assuming typical use with SatIQ technology |
| Display Size | 1.2" (30.4 mm) diameter | 1.4” (35.56 mm) diameter |
| Lens Material | Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 | Corning® Gorilla® Glass or sapphire crystal |
| Bezel Material | anodized aluminum | stainless steel or titanium |
| Memory/History | 4 GB | 32 GB |
| Strap material | ComfortFit nylon band | silicone |
| Display resolution | 390 x 390 pixels | 454 x 454 pixels |
| Product Info | ||
| Main SKU | 010-03010-00 | 010-02905-10 |
| Product ID | 1604377 | 1228171 |
| Product Name | Approach® S50 | fēnix® 8 – 51 mm, AMOLED |
| Release Date | 1/22/2025 | 8/27/2024 |
| Product Variation | Slate Aluminum Bezel with Black ComfortFit Nylon Band | Sapphire, Titanium with Spark Orange/Graphite Silicone Band |
| Cycling Features | ||
| Speed and cadence sensor support (w/sensor) | yes (using ANT+ or BLE) | Yes |
| Golfing Features | ||
| Full vector map | yes (with Garmin Golf membership) | Yes |
| Tournament legal | yes (with tournament mode enabled) | Yes |
| Touch-targeting (touch target on display to see the distance to any point) | yes (with Garmin Golf membership) | Yes |
| Measures shot distance (calculates exact yardage for shots from anywhere on course) | Yes | automatic |
| What You'll Love | ||
| Display type | AMOLED (optional always-on mode) | AMOLED |
| Water rating | 5 ATM | 10 ATM |
| Pulse Ox blood oxygen | yes (spot-check and optionally in sleep) | Yes |
| Battery life (smartwatch mode) | Up to 10 days | Up to 29 days (13 days always-on) |
| Activity Profiles | ||
| Gym | Strength, HIIT, Cardio, Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Floor Climbing, Indoor Rowing | Strength, HIIT, Cardio, Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Floor Climbing, Indoor Rowing, Jump Roping |
| Swim | Pool Swimming | Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming |
| Cycling | Biking, Indoor Biking | Biking, Road Biking, Mountain Biking, Gravel Biking, Bike Commuting, Bike Touring, eBiking, eMountain Biking, Indoor Biking, Cyclocross, BMX |
| Wellness | Walking, Pilates, Yoga, Indoor Walking | Walking, Indoor Walking, Pilates, Yoga |
| On the Water | Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Kayaking | Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Kayaking, Surfing, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing, Fishing, Boating, Sailing, Water Skiing, Wakeboarding, Wakesurfing, Tubing, Snorkeling, Whitewater |
| Snow & winter | Skiing, Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, Snowshoeing | Skiing, Snowboarding, Backcountry Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, XC Skate Skiing, Backcountry Skiing, Ice Skating, Snowshoeing |
| Indoor running | Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running | Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running, Virtual Running |
| Outdoor running | Running | Running, Outdoor Track Running, Trail Running, Ultra Running, Obstacle Racing |
| Outdoor recreation | Golfing | Hiking, Rucking, Indoor Climbing, Bouldering, Climbing, Hunting, Horseback Riding, Golfing, Disc Golf, Archery |
| Training, Planning and Analysis Features | ||
| Respiration rate (during exercise) | yoga, breathwork and meditation only | yes (with compatible accessory) |
The other 129 specifications both list are identical.
Full Garmin Approach S50 specifications →Full Garmin Fenix 8 51mm AMOLED specifications →