When Garmin first launched the Quatix 7 series, it quickly became the go-to smartwatch for boaters—building on the Fenix 7’s rugged DNA and adding some serious marine smarts.
Now, with the Quatix 8, Garmin is taking another step forward. But the big question is: Is it worth upgrading if you already own the Quatix 7?
Let’s break it down honestly—from the perspective of a real user, not just spec sheets.
Garmin Quatix 8 vs Quatix 7: The Key Differences
What’s Familiar?
The Quatix 8 doesn’t reinvent the wheel—and that’s not a bad thing. If you loved the Quatix 7, you’ll feel right at home here. Here’s what Garmin kept consistent:
- Rugged Design: Still built tough with premium materials like titanium. Garmin knows this watch needs to survive saltwater, rough weather, and everything in between.
- AMOLED Display: Brilliant, sharp, and easy to see even in bright sunlight.
- Multi-band GNSS + GPS: Accuracy remains rock-solid, whether you’re charting a course at sea or hiking ashore.
- Health Tracking: No big changes here—still uses Garmin’s Elevate Gen 5 sensor with ECG support.
- Flashlight: The same white and green dual-LED light, useful on and off the boat.
- Battery Life: Up to 16 days, or 16 hours in full GPS mode—no loss of endurance despite the upgrades.
In short: if you’re using the Quatix 7 today, the overall experience on the Quatix 8 won’t feel drastically different… until you start looking a bit closer.
💰 Price: How Much Will It Cost You?
Garmin’s quatix line sits firmly in the premium category, and the new model reflects that.
- Garmin Quatix 7 AMOLED (47mm): Often starts around $699 USD on Amazon
- Garmin Quatix 7X Solar (51mm): Typically around $899 – $999 USD on Amazon
- Garmin Quatix 8 AMOLED (47mm): Priced at $1199.99 USD on Amazon
- Garmin Quatix 8 AMOLED (51mm): Often priced around $1299.99 USD on Amazon
▶️ Note: Pricing may vary slightly depending on your region and retailer. As always, shop around for discounts or bundles—especially during major sales events like Prime Day or Black Friday.
What’s New in the Quatix 8?
Now here’s where it gets interesting—especially for tech-savvy boaters and divers.
✅ Voice Control + Mic & Speaker
The biggest headline feature: is voice command functionality. You can now take calls, interact with your phone assistant, and even control your Garmin chartplotter just by speaking.
That’s a huge convenience when your hands are full—think docking, adjusting music, or accessing data without pressing a single button.
✅ Inductive Buttons
Borrowing a page from the Gamin Fenix 8, Garmin replaced traditional mechanical buttons with inductive touch buttons. These are easier to clean, more resistant to salt and grit, and have a modern, premium feel.
✅ New Diving Features
This is where the Quatix 8 separates itself:
- Max dive depth: 40 meters
- Nitrox support
- Auto-start/end dive detection
- Deep and safety stops
- 3-axis underwater compass
- Auto-save of dive entry and exit points
For divers, this changes everything. You no longer need a separate dive computer for recreational dives—your Quatix 8 has you covered.
✅ Larger Display & Enhanced Screen-to-Bezel Ratio
Garmin bumped the screen size from 1.3″ to 1.4″ on the 47mm Quatix 8, which now matches the larger 51mm model. That extra screen real estate makes charts, data fields, and widgets easier to read at a glance.
Versions and Compatibility
- Quatix 7: Available in Standard, Solar, and AMOLED variants, in both 47mm and 51mm sizes.
- Quatix 8: Available only in AMOLED, but still gives you 47mm and 51mm size options.
If you’re someone who prefers solar charging, that might be a reason to stick with the Quatix 7—at least for now.
So… Should You Upgrade?
If you’re a boater and diver: This one’s a no-brainer. The Quatix 8’s diving tools are a major leap forward and the voice functionality makes onboard life a lot smoother.
If you’re happy with the Quatix 7 and don’t dive: You’re not missing out on a ton. Voice control is nice, but it may not be essential for everyone.
If your Quatix 7 is running great, you could skip this generation and wait for the next major refresh—or until a solar version of the Quatix 8 arrives.
Final Thoughts: The Verdict from the Helm
Garmin didn’t overhaul the Quatix 8—but they didn’t need to. It’s a smart, focused update aimed at those who live life on (and under) the water.
The voice assistant and diving enhancements are meaningful, not just marketing fluff. For multi-sport marine adventurers, this is the most versatile smartwatch Garmin has ever made.
🚤 Curious about how the Quatix 8 stacks up in real-world boating or dive trips?
Stay tuned—we’re field testing it this week with a hands-on review coming soon.
In the meantime, check out our Quatix buyer’s guide for more help choosing the right model.
Also see:-
