Garmin Fenix 8 47mm Solar vs Vivoactive 5
Size, specs & wrist fit compared
Which one fits you
Under 16.5 cm (6.5 in) round, the Fenix 8 47mm Solar's lugs overhang and the Vivoactive 5's do not; the Vivoactive 5 fills the wrist at 16–17.5 cm, the Fenix 8 47mm Solar at 17.5–19.5 cm.
What else differs
- Screen: the Fenix 8 47mm Solar has the larger screen, 1.3 in across against 1.2 in on the Vivoactive 5, and the Fenix 8 47mm Solar uses a memory-in-pixel screen that is easy to read in sunlight and sips battery, the Vivoactive 5 a bright AMOLED screen.
- Battery: 21 days for the Fenix 8 47mm Solar against 11 days for the Vivoactive 5 in everyday use; 2.8 days for the Fenix 8 47mm Solar against 21 hours for the Vivoactive 5 with GPS on.
- Only the Fenix 8 47mm Solar has solar charging, an ECG app and a sapphire lens.
4.1mm thinner, the Vivoactive 5 is the one that slides under a shirt cuff.
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 4.8mm wider and 4.1mm thicker than the Vivoactive 5.
Fenix 8 47mm Solar
Vivoactive 5
Case width
47mm
42.2mm−4.8mm
Thickness
15.2mm
11.1mm−4.1mm
Fenix 8 47mm Solar or Vivoactive 5 by wrist size
| Wrist round (mm left each side) | Fenix 8 47mm Solar≈54mm lug to lug, est. | Vivoactive 5≈48.5mm lug to lug, est. |
|---|---|---|
| 14 cm / 5.5 in | Overhangs (4.4mm over) | Overhangs (1.7mm over) |
| 15 cm / 5.9 in | Overhangs (2.8mm over) | Overhangs (0.1mm over) |
| 16 cm / 6.3 in | Overhangs (1.2mm over) | Sweet spot (1.6mm) |
| 17 cm / 6.7 in | Bold (0.4mm) | Sweet spot (3.2mm) |
| 18 cm / 7.1 in | Sweet spot (2mm) | Balanced (4.8mm) |
| 19 cm / 7.5 in | Sweet spot (3.6mm) | Balanced (6.4mm) |
| 20 cm / 7.9 in | Balanced (5.3mm) | Balanced (8mm) |
Switch or add watches
Garmin
Fenix 8 47mm Solar
Garmin
Vivoactive 5
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Battery life compared
Fenix 8 47mm SolarVivoactive 5
Battery saver
34 days +58 days—Expedition
34 days +58 days—Smartwatch
21 days +28 days11 daysMax battery GPS
132 hours +283 hours—GPS only
67 hours +92 hours21 hoursAll systems
48 hours +59 hours—All systems + multi-band
37 hours +43 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 Fenix 8 47mm Solar 47mm × ≈54mm (est.) · 15.2mm thick
- Garmin Vivoactive 5 42.2mm × ≈48.5mm (est.) · 11.1mm thick
3D preview
Fenix 8 47mm Solar vs Vivoactive 5 on a wrist
Specifications
The short version
6 key specs| Spec | GarminFenix 8 47mm Solar | GarminVivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Case Width | 47mm | 42.2mm |
| Thickness | 15.2mm | 11.1mm |
| Shape | Circular | Circular |
| Display type | Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) | OLED/AMOLED |
| Battery life | 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 | Smartwatch mode: Up to 11 days (5 days display always-on) Battery Saver Smartwatch mode: Up to 21 days GPS-Only GNSS mode: Up to 21 hours All-Systems GNSS mode: Up to 17 hours All-Systems GNSS mode with music: Up to 8 hours See details |
| Released | 2024 | 2023 |
Where the specifications differ
33 differences| Spec | Garmin Fenix 8 47mm Solar | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Battery life | 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 | Smartwatch mode: Up to 11 days (5 days display always-on) Battery Saver Smartwatch mode: Up to 21 days GPS-Only GNSS mode: Up to 21 hours All-Systems GNSS mode: Up to 17 hours All-Systems GNSS mode with music: Up to 8 hours See details |
| Display Size | 1.3” (33.00 mm) diameter | 1.2" (30.4 mm) diameter |
| Case material | fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover | fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Lens Material | Power Sapphire™ | Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 |
| Bezel Material | titanium | anodized aluminum |
| Memory/History | 32 GB | 4 GB |
| Display resolution | 260 x 260 pixels | 390 x 390 pixels |
| Sensors | ||
| Thermometer | Yes | yes (tempe™ sensor required) |
| Product Info | ||
| Main SKU | 010-02906-20 | 010-02862-11 |
| Product ID | 1389491 | 1057989 |
| Product Name | fēnix® 8 – 47 mm, Solar | vívoactive® 5 |
| Release Date | 8/27/2024 | 9/21/2023 |
| Product Variation | Sapphire, Titanium with Amp Yellow/Graphite Silicone Band | Cream Gold Aluminum Bezel with Ivory Case and Silicone Band |
| Cycling Features | ||
| Speed and cadence sensor support (w/sensor) | Yes | yes (using ANT+ or BLE) |
| What You'll Love | ||
| Display type | Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) | AMOLED (optional always-on mode) |
| Water rating | 10 ATM | Swim, 5 ATM |
| Pulse Ox blood oxygen | Yes | yes (spot-check, and optionally all-day and in sleep) |
| Battery life (smartwatch mode) | Up to 21 days (28 days with solar) | Up to 11 days (5 days display always-on) |
| Activity Profiles | ||
| Gym | Strength, HIIT, Cardio, Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Floor Climbing, Indoor Rowing, Jump Roping | Strength, HIIT, Cardio, Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Indoor Rowing, Jump Roping |
| Cycling | Biking, Road Biking, Mountain Biking, Gravel Biking, Bike Commuting, Bike Touring, eBiking, eMountain Biking, Indoor Biking, Cyclocross, BMX | Biking, Indoor Biking, eBiking, Handcycling, Indoor Handcycling |
| Wellness | Walking, Indoor Walking, Pilates, Yoga | Walking, Pilates, Yoga, Indoor Walking |
| On the Water | Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Kayaking, Surfing, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing, Fishing, Boating, Sailing, Water Skiing, Wakeboarding, Wakesurfing, Tubing, Snorkeling, Whitewater | Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing |
| Snow & winter | Skiing, Snowboarding, Backcountry Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, XC Skate Skiing, Backcountry Skiing, Ice Skating, Snowshoeing | Skiing, Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, Snowshoeing |
| Indoor running | Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running, Virtual Running | Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running |
| Outdoor running | Running, Outdoor Track Running, Trail Running, Ultra Running, Obstacle Racing | Running |
| Outdoor recreation | Hiking, Rucking, Indoor Climbing, Bouldering, Climbing, Hunting, Horseback Riding, Golfing, Disc Golf, Archery | Disc Golf |
| Outdoor Recreation | ||
| Fish forecast | Yes | yes (via Connect IQ™) |
| Sun and moon information | Yes | yes (via Connect IQ™) |
| Activity Tracking Features | ||
| Garmin Connect™ Challenges app | yes (optional Connect IQ app) | Yes |
| Health & Wellness Monitoring | ||
| Hydration | yes (in Garmin Connect™ and optional Connect IQ™ widget) | Yes |
| Women's health | yes (in Garmin Connect™ and optional Connect IQ™ widget) | Yes |
| Training, Planning and Analysis Features | ||
| Respiration rate (during exercise) | yes (with compatible accessory) | yoga, breathwork and meditation only |
| HR broadcast (broadcasts HR data over ANT+® to paired devices) | Yes | yes (using ANT+ or BLE) |
The other 137 specifications both list are identical.
Full Garmin Fenix 8 47mm Solar specifications →Full Garmin Vivoactive 5 specifications →