The Garmin Enduro 3 and Garmin Fenix 8 both offer high-performance displays suited for intense workouts, but their displays have distinct characteristics that impact usability during such sessions.
The Enduro 3 uses a transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) screen designed specifically for outdoor endurance activities. This type of display excels in bright outdoor lighting conditions by reflecting ambient light, making it highly readable even in direct sunlight. During intense workouts, especially outdoors in variable lighting, the Enduro 3's display remains clear and visible without needing high brightness settings. This not only ensures data visibility but also helps conserve battery life, which is a major advantage for ultra-long endurance activities. However, the MIP display lacks the vivid colors and sharpness of AMOLED screens, which means it can look less vibrant when viewed indoors or in low-light conditions. Still, its quick refresh of workout metrics and clear, high-contrast text enable athletes to monitor their performance during intense physical activity effectively.
In contrast, the Fenix 8 comes in different versions, including models with AMOLED displays. The AMOLED screen provides brighter, sharper, and more vivid visuals, which are particularly beneficial for indoor workouts or low-light environments. When performing intense sessions in a gym or poorly lit areas, the Fenix 8's display offers higher visibility and easier glances, making it more appealing for indoor and casual workout use. The colors and contrast make it easier to distinguish different data fields quickly, which can enhance workout efficiency and motivation during high-intensity training. However, AMOLED displays tend to consume more battery power, which can reduce usage times, especially during extensive outdoor sessions when the watch is constantly displaying performance data.
During outdoor intense workouts, the Enduro 3's display has a significant edge due to its transflective technology, solar charging capability, and power efficiency, all of which support longer usage without frequent recharging. The Fenix 8 with AMOLED offers a premium display experience but sacrifices battery life in scenarios where screen power consumption is high. For athletes prioritizing battery longevity and readability in bright light, the Enduro 3 is better suited for intense workouts in extreme outdoor conditions. Meanwhile, for those valuing display quality and indoor use, the Fenix 8 AMOLED screen offers a more visually engaging experience, which some users prefer, particularly in controlled lighting environments.
Both watches support comprehensive workout tracking and metrics display functionality with customizable data screens, allowing users to tailor their display during workouts to focus on heart rate, pace, cadence, or other performance indicators. This customization ensures that regardless of the display type, athletes can optimize the information presented to suit their workout needs.
In summary, the Enduro 3's transflective display performs exceptionally well during intense outdoor workouts by maintaining visibility in direct sunlight and conserving battery through lower power consumption. The Fenix 8's AMOLED display, while more vibrant and easier to read in indoor or low-light settings, may require more frequent charging, which could be a drawback for ultra-endurance athletes. Therefore, the Enduro 3 display is generally more practical for long, intense outdoor sessions, while the Fenix 8 display caters better to indoor or multi-environment workout visibility preferences.