Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch8
The Verdict
The Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 and Samsung Galaxy Watch8 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Samsung Galaxy Watch8 is the cheaper of the two at $300 versus $899, a difference of about $599. The Samsung Galaxy Watch8 is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 stands out for built-in led flashlight is a genuinely useful safety feature for night runs, while Samsung Galaxy Watch8 is praised for thinnest galaxy watch at 8.6mm. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 if…
- →Built-in LED flashlight is a genuinely useful safety feature for night runs
- →Titanium case with sapphire lens for maximum durability
- →Comprehensive multi-sport tracking with advanced running and cycling metrics
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 if…
- →Thinnest Galaxy Watch at 8.6mm
- →3nm Exynos W1000 processor
- →3000 nits peak brightness
Pros & Cons
Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2
Pros
- Built-in LED flashlight is a genuinely useful safety feature for night runs
- Titanium case with sapphire lens for maximum durability
- Comprehensive multi-sport tracking with advanced running and cycling metrics
- Bright AMOLED display is readable in all lighting conditions
- Extensive multi-band GPS accuracy for trail and expedition use
Cons
- Very expensive at $899 — hard to justify over the Forerunner 965
- No ECG or cellular connectivity despite the premium price
- Heavy at 63 g for prolonged daily smartwatch wear
- Garmin OS limits third-party app options
Samsung Galaxy Watch8
Pros
- Thinnest Galaxy Watch at 8.6mm
- 3nm Exynos W1000 processor
- 3000 nits peak brightness
- Wear OS 6 with Gemini AI assistant
- Dual-frequency GPS
Cons
- $300 starting price for base model
- Battery life varies heavily with AOD
- Limited third-party watch face selection on Wear OS
Full Specifications
| Spec | Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 | Samsung Galaxy Watch8 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Garmin OS | Wear OS 6 with Gemini |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 63 g | 28.8 g (40mm) |
| Case material | Titanium | Armor Aluminum |
| Water resistance | 10 ATM | 5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810H |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 16 days smartwatch mode, 42 hrs GPS | Up to 40 hours |
| Display | ||
| Size | 1.4 inch | 40mm / 44mm |
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 454 x 454 | 480 x 480 (44mm) |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Garmin proprietary | Exynos W1000 (3nm) |
| RAM | — | 2 GB |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in smartwatches, see all Garmin products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch8.