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A month ago, Garmin introduced the Fenix 7 and Epix family of wearables, and since then, we’ve had the chance to put the two greatest versions through their paces in a variety of activities, including running, hiking, biking, sleeping, walking, and just living our lives. The previous week, we presented our evaluation of the Garmin Epix (2nd generation).
Now it is time for us to follow up with our opinions regarding the Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar. The Fenix 7 series is offered in three different dimensions, including 42mm, 47mm, and 51mm. Additionally, there are three other versions available to choose from: normal, sun, and sapphire solar.
Garmin Fenix 7X SPECIFICATIONS
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 1.4 inch, 280 x 280 pixels |
| Dimensions | 51 x 51 x 14.9 mm |
| Weight | 93 g |
| Battery Life | Up to 24 days (smartwatch mode), up to 72 hours (GPS mode) |
| Water Resistance | 10 ATM |
| Sensors | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, heart rate, barometric altimeter, compass, gyroscope |
Garmin Fenix 7X review: Design
You get a 51mm case with a polymer back and a metal or titanium back, if you’re ready to pay for the most expensive model. The 7X also comes in two versions: the cheaper 7X Solar and the more expensive 7X Sapphire Solar, which we had to try. From a style point of view, the main thing you get with the Sapphire Solar version is a Power Sapphire lens. This means that you get both solar charging and more protective sapphire crystal on the screen. You can buy this smartwatch from its official website
Garmin Fenix 7X review: Tracking and Features
The Fenix 7X is a bit of a powerhouse of an outdoor watch because it has a lot of features that are hidden by its big size. This watch pretty much has you covered when it comes to planning, tracking runs, and getting information about ski runs.
All of the most important outdoor tools are there, including an altimeter, barometer, and compass, as well as GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite navigation systems. Garmin is also putting out new multi frequency positioning, which uses multiple bands from available satellite systems to improve outdoor accuracy.
Garmin Fenix 7X review: GPS Accuracy
The Epix is almost exactly the same as the Fenix 7, but it has an AMOLED screen that is much brighter and has a lot more clarity. This means that all of the products have a shorter battery life, but even with the shorter battery life, they are still better than many GPS watches on the market. Our choice was easy because we only had one test model to choose from: the Fenix 7X. At the end, we’ll share some thoughts on how the series compare.
Garmin Fenix 7X review: Battery Life
The Fenix 7X continues Garmin’s tradition of producing Fenix watches with impressive battery life. This watch has a 30-day power reserve and can potentially last much longer. In smartwatch mode alone, the battery life is 28 days, rising to 37 days if worn constantly and with significant time spent outside.
Garmin Fenix 7X review: Price and availability
Lastly, there’s the cost. When we told my friend who likes expensive bikes that we were wearing a $900 watch, he almost threw up. At almost $1,000, the 7X might be more of a status symbol than a useful tool. But the more you wear it, the more you realize how nice it is to have such a strong tool on your wrist. Many of us are ready to spend $800 on a new iPhone, and I think the 7X will be useful for at least another five to ten years, which is much longer than your phone will last.
Final Words
A $900 watch may be out of reach for some people. But if you’re used to investing on high-quality outdoor gear like skis, bikes, shoes, tents, etc., then you know the 7X is worth it. Some may find the $900 price tag tolerable if it means never having to worry about a dead battery while tracking all of your activities in the bush. This confidence, along with the 7X’s user-friendliness, has made it an integral element of my go-to carry. That’s why I plan to wear this watch for quite some time.
Garmin Fenix 7X Ratings
Garmin Fenix 7X review: the good and the bad
The Good
- Improved outdoor tracking accuracy
- Weeks of battery life
The Bad
- The price
FAQS
When your linked smartphone gets a call, the fnix watch shows you the caller’s name or phone number. You must use your linked phone to talk to the caller. Select Reply and choose a message from the list to turn down the call and send a text message right away.
The Fenix 7 will keep track of your sleep, steps, floors climbed, and stress. It will also track your training state, VO2 Max, and energy levels through the Body Battery feature.