Apple - Watch SE (2nd gen) vs Garmin - Fenix 8 (47mm)
Between the Watch SE (2nd gen) and Fenix 8 (47mm), the Watch SE (2nd gen) comes out ahead in weight and display size, while the Fenix 8 (47mm) wins on battery life and water resistance. Overall, the Watch SE (2nd gen) scores 56.1 and the Fenix 8 (47mm) scores 64.3 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Fenix 8 (47mm) is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 8.2 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the Watch SE (2nd gen) if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. The biggest gaps in its favor are weight, display size, cellular.
Pick the Fenix 8 (47mm) if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. Its strongest claims are battery life, water resistance, ecg, among others.
Both ship with comparable peak brightness, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Fenix 8 (47mm) is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Apple - Watch SE (2nd gen) wins
- ▲Weight — 40.00 g less. 33 vs 73.
- ▲Display size — 27.14% more. 1.78 " vs 1.4 ".
- ▲Has Cellular.
Why Garmin - Fenix 8 (47mm) wins
- ▲Battery life — 2033.33% more. 384 h vs 18 h.
- ▲Water resistance — 5.00 ATM more. 10 vs 5.
- ▲Has ECG.
- ▲Has SpO2.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - Watch SE (2nd gen) | Garmin - Fenix 8 (47mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Case size | 44 mm | 47 mmlead |
| Weight | 33 glead | 73 g |
| Case material | aluminum | fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Water resistanceⓘ | 5 ATM | 10 ATMlead |
Display
| Spec | Apple - Watch SE (2nd gen) | Garmin - Fenix 8 (47mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Display size | 1.78 "lead | 1.4 " |
| Always-on display | false | truelead |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 1000 nits | 1000 nits |
Health & Fitness
| Spec | Apple - Watch SE (2nd gen) | Garmin - Fenix 8 (47mm) |
|---|---|---|
| ECG | false | truelead |
| SpO2 | false | truelead |
| Temperature sensor | false | truelead |
| Sleep tracking | true | true |
| Blood pressure | false | false |
Battery & Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - Watch SE (2nd gen) | Garmin - Fenix 8 (47mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 18 h | 384 hlead |
| GPS | true | true |
| Cellular | truelead | false |
| NFC | true | true |
| OS | watchOS | Garmin OSlead |
Frequently asked
Which has longer battery life, Watch SE (2nd gen) or Fenix 8 (47mm)?+
Fenix 8 (47mm) lasts 384h vs 18h.
Do Watch SE (2nd gen) or Fenix 8 (47mm) support ECG?+
Fenix 8 (47mm) supports ECG; Watch SE (2nd gen) does not.
Which has cellular, Watch SE (2nd gen) or Fenix 8 (47mm)?+
Watch SE (2nd gen) offers a cellular variant; Fenix 8 (47mm) is Wi-Fi only.
Spec-level deep dives
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