First-generation product — no historical cycle data to predict a successor
Full details →| Garmin Fenix | Fitbit Air | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $999 | $99★ |
| Subscription | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr | ℹ️ Optional — $99/yr |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 56g | 12g★ |
| Water resistance | 10ATM★ | 50m |
| Battery | 18 days★ | 7 days |
| Always-on display | ✅★ | ❌ |
| GPS | ✅★ | ❌ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Sports GPS | Fitness Tracker |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Aug 14, 2024 | May 7, 2026 |
| Cycle advice | bad | good★ |
| Deals advice | good | good |
| Next model | Garmin Fenix 9 (H2 2026) | — |
First Fenix to include a speaker — enabling phone calls, Bluetooth audio, and voice prompts directly from the watch.
AMOLED for the best display at 18 days. Solar MIP for up to 48+ days in expedition conditions where charging is impossible.
EN13319 dive mode (up to 40m), MIL-STD-810 shock resistance, and TopoActive maps covering 100+ countries — the most capable outdoor watch in Garmin's lineup.
Unlike WHOOP, there is no mandatory membership — pay $99 once and use Fitbit Air with the free Google Health app. Google Health Premium ($9.99/month) is optional.
Continuous heart rate, SpO2, HRV, and skin temperature tracking plus background FDA-certified AFib detection, in a 12g pebble designed to be worn and forgotten.
A week between charges, with a 5-minute top-up delivering a full day of use — significantly less downtime than WHOOP's slide-on charging system.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$396 vs $1209 over 3 years.
18 days vs 7 days battery.
11 sensors.
12g.
Expedition athletes, adventure racers, triathletes, mountaineers, and divers who need the most capable and durable GPS watch Garmin makes. Also for anyone who wants Garmin's best — full stop.
Full details →Health-focused users who want passive, 24/7 biometric tracking without a screen on their wrist. Particularly strong for those drawn to WHOOP but put off by the subscription model — the Fitbit Air delivers comparable core health data for $99 outright. Works with both iOS and Android.
Full details →