Garmin Descent G2 vs Fenix 8 47mm Solar
Size, specs & wrist fit compared
Which one fits you
Both need much the same wrist: neither overhangs from 16.5 cm (6.5 in) round, and both are in their sweet spot around 17–19.5 cm. Wrist size will not decide between these two.
What else differs
- Screen: the Fenix 8 47mm Solar has the larger screen, 1.3 in across against 1.2 in on the Descent G2, and the Descent G2 uses a bright AMOLED screen, the Fenix 8 47mm Solar a memory-in-pixel screen that is easy to read in sunlight and sips battery.
- Battery: 21 days for the Fenix 8 47mm Solar against 10 days for the Descent G2 in everyday use; 2.8 days for the Fenix 8 47mm Solar against 20 hours for the Descent G2 with GPS on.
Among the 79 smartwatches 47mm across that we hold thickness for, the Fenix 8 47mm Solar is thicker than 87%, so it sits higher on the wrist than most of its size.
The Fenix 8 47mm Solar is 1.5mm wider and 15g heavier than the Descent G2.
Descent G2
Fenix 8 47mm Solar
Case width
45.5mm
47mm+1.5mm
Thickness
15.2mm
15.2mmsame
Weight
65g
80g+15g
Descent G2 or Fenix 8 47mm Solar by wrist size
| Wrist round (mm left each side) | Descent G2≈52.5mm lug to lug, est. | Fenix 8 47mm Solar≈54mm lug to lug, est. |
|---|---|---|
| 14 cm / 5.5 in | Overhangs (3.7mm over) | Overhangs (4.4mm over) |
| 15 cm / 5.9 in | Overhangs (2.1mm over) | Overhangs (2.8mm over) |
| 16 cm / 6.3 in | Overhangs (0.4mm over) | Overhangs (1.2mm over) |
| 17 cm / 6.7 in | Bold (1.2mm) | Bold (0.4mm) |
| 18 cm / 7.1 in | Sweet spot (2.8mm) | Sweet spot (2mm) |
| 19 cm / 7.5 in | Sweet spot (4.4mm) | Sweet spot (3.6mm) |
| 20 cm / 7.9 in | Balanced (6mm) | Balanced (5.3mm) |
Switch or add watches
Garmin
Descent G2
Garmin
Fenix 8 47mm Solar
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Battery life compared
Furthest apart in Expedition mode, where the Fenix 8 47mm Solar lasts 3.4× as long as the Descent G2 (34 days against 10 days).
Descent G2Fenix 8 47mm Solar
Battery saver
12 days34 days +58 daysExpedition
10 days34 days +58 daysSmartwatch
10 days21 days +28 daysMax battery GPS
44 hours132 hours +283 hoursGPS only
20 hours67 hours +92 hoursAll systems
15 hours48 hours +59 hoursAll systems + multi-band
—37 hours +43 hoursDive
27 hours—All systems with music
—13 hours
Amber figures are the solar-assisted runtime the manufacturer publishes for that mode.
More comparisons
2D Dimension Schematics
- Garmin Descent G2 45.5mm × ≈52.5mm (est.) · 15.2mm thick
- Garmin Fenix 8 47mm Solar 47mm × ≈54mm (est.) · 15.2mm thick
3D preview
Descent G2 vs Fenix 8 47mm Solar on a wrist
Specifications
The short version
7 key specs| Spec | GarminDescent G2 | GarminFenix 8 47mm Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Case Width | 45.5mm | 47mm |
| Thickness | 15.2mm | 15.2mm |
| Weight | 65g | 80g |
| Shape | Circular | Circular |
| Display type | AMOLED | Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) |
| Battery life | Dive Mode: Up to 27 hours Smartwatch: Up to 10 days (4 days always-on) Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 12 days GPS Only: Up to 20 hours All Satellite Systems: Up to 15 hours Max Battery GPS: Up to 44 hours Expedition GPS: Up to 10 days | Smartwatch: Up to 21 days/28 days with solar* Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 34 days/58 days with solar* GPS Only: Up to 67 hours/92 hours with solar** All Satellite Systems: Up to 48 hours/59 hours with solar** All Satellite Systems + Multi-band: Up to 37 hours/43 hours with solar*** All Satellite Systems + Music: Up to 13 hours Max Battery GPS: Up to 132 hours/283 hours with solar** Expedition GPS: Up to 34 days/58 days with solar* *Solar charging, assuming all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions **Solar charging, assuming use in 50,000 lux conditions ***Solar charging, assuming use in 50,000 lux conditions; assuming typical use with SatIQ technology |
| Released | 2025 | 2024 |
Where the specifications differ
45 differences| Spec | Garmin Descent G2 | Garmin Fenix 8 47mm Solar |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Battery life | Dive Mode: Up to 27 hours Smartwatch: Up to 10 days (4 days always-on) Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 12 days GPS Only: Up to 20 hours All Satellite Systems: Up to 15 hours Max Battery GPS: Up to 44 hours Expedition GPS: Up to 10 days | Smartwatch: Up to 21 days/28 days with solar* Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 34 days/58 days with solar* GPS Only: Up to 67 hours/92 hours with solar** All Satellite Systems: Up to 48 hours/59 hours with solar** All Satellite Systems + Multi-band: Up to 37 hours/43 hours with solar*** All Satellite Systems + Music: Up to 13 hours Max Battery GPS: Up to 132 hours/283 hours with solar** Expedition GPS: Up to 34 days/58 days with solar* *Solar charging, assuming all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions **Solar charging, assuming use in 50,000 lux conditions ***Solar charging, assuming use in 50,000 lux conditions; assuming typical use with SatIQ technology |
| Display Size | 1.2" (30.4 mm) diameter | 1.3” (33.00 mm) diameter |
| Case material | fiber-reinforced ocean-bound plastic | fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover |
| Lens Material | sapphire crystal | Power Sapphire™ |
| Bezel Material | fiber-reinforced ocean-bound plastic | titanium |
| Memory/History | 4 GB | 32 GB |
| Charging method | Garmin proprietary clip charger | Garmin proprietary plug charger |
| Display resolution | 390 x 390 pixels | 260 x 260 pixels |
| QuickFit® watch band compatible | yes (22 mm) | included (22 mm) |
| Sensors | ||
| Depth sensor | Yes | yes (to 40 m) |
| Product Info | ||
| Main SKU | 010-02986-00 | 010-02906-20 |
| Product ID | 1558977 | 1389491 |
| Product Name | Descent™ G2 | fēnix® 8 – 47 mm, Solar |
| Release Date | 2/14/2025 | 8/27/2024 |
| Product Variation | Black with Black Band | Sapphire, Titanium with Amp Yellow/Graphite Silicone Band |
| Diving Features | ||
| PO2 | Up to 2.0 with customizable deco PO2 setting | up to 1.6 with customizable Deco settings |
| Backlight | yes (configurable time and intensity; auto-on at depth) | yes (configurable intensity; always on) |
| Gas mixes | Air, Nitrox and Trimix up to 100% O2; 1 bottom gas and up to 11 deco and/or backup gasses. | Air, Nitrox (21-40% Oxygen) |
| Deep Stops | yes (using custom gradient factors) | yes (using custom Gradient Factors) |
| Dive planner | yes (basic NDL + multi-gas deco planner) | yes (Basic NDL & Gas Planner) |
| Alerts & alarms | Audible and vibration alarms for ascent rate, PO2, CNS/OTU, NDL, deco, gas switching. Customizable (up to 40) audible and/or vibration per dive mode, based on depth or time | yes (vibration only) |
| 3-axis dive compass | yes (with adjustable heading, quick change to 90R, 90L and reciprocal). Indicates degrees and direction back to set heading | yes with adjustable heading, quick change to 90R, 90L, and Reciprocal. Indicates degrees and direction back to set heading. |
| Decompression model | Bühlmann ZHL-16c with gradient factors | Bühlmann ZHL-16c with Gradient Factors |
| Custom end-dive timeout | yes (20s to 10 m) | yes (20 sec to 10 min) |
| Customizable conservatism | yes (low/medium/high or custom using gradient factors) | yes (Low/Medium/High) |
| Surface diver status widget | yes (surface interval, N2/HE loading, CNS, OTU and tissue compartment status) | yes (Surface Interval, no fly time, N2 loading, CNS, OTU, and Tissue Compartment status) |
| Dive activity maximum operating depth | 100 meters | 40 meters |
| Golfing Features | ||
| Measures shot distance (calculates exact yardage for shots from anywhere on course) | manual | automatic |
| Running Features | ||
| Ground contact time and balance | Yes | yes (GCT balance with accessory) |
| What You'll Love | ||
| Display type | AMOLED | Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) |
| Water rating | Dive (100 meters) | 10 ATM |
| Pulse Ox blood oxygen | yes (spot-check, during sleep, all day) | Yes |
| Battery life (smartwatch mode) | up to 10 days (4 days always-on) | Up to 21 days (28 days with solar) |
| 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 |
| Dive | Diving | Scuba Diving (single gas), Apnea Diving, Depth App |
| Wellness | Walking, Pilates, Yoga , Indoor Walking | Walking, Indoor Walking, Pilates, Yoga |
| On the Water | Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Kayaking, Surfing, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing, Fishing, Boating, Water Skiing, Wakeboarding, Wakesurfing, Tubing, Snorkeling, Whitewater | Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Kayaking, Surfing, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing, Fishing, Boating, Sailing, Water Skiing, Wakeboarding, Wakesurfing, Tubing, Snorkeling, Whitewater |
| Snow & winter | Skiing, Snowboarding, Backcountry Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, Backcountry Skiing, Ice Skating, Snowshoeing | Skiing, Snowboarding, Backcountry Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, XC Skate Skiing, Backcountry Skiing, Ice Skating, Snowshoeing |
| Outdoor running | Running, Outdoor Track Running, Trail Running, Obstacle Racing | Running, Outdoor Track Running, Trail Running, Ultra Running, Obstacle Racing |
| Outdoor recreation | Hiking, Indoor Climbing, Bouldering, Climbing, Hunting, Horseback Riding, Golfing, Disc Golf, Archery | Hiking, Rucking, Indoor Climbing, Bouldering, Climbing, Hunting, Horseback Riding, Golfing, Disc Golf, Archery |
| Other activity profiles | Tactical, Inline Skating | Inline Skating |
| Daily Smart Features | ||
| Connectivity | Bluetooth® Smart, ANT+® | Bluetooth®, ANT+®, Wi-Fi® |
| Health & Wellness Monitoring | ||
| Sleep | Yes | yes (advanced) |
| Hydration | yes (in Garmin Connect™) | yes (in Garmin Connect™ and optional Connect IQ™ widget) |
| Women's health | yes (in Garmin Connect™) | yes (in Garmin Connect™ and optional Connect IQ™ widget) |
The other 222 specifications both list are identical.
Full Garmin Descent G2 specifications →Full Garmin Fenix 8 47mm Solar specifications →