Garmin finally sees fit to update its top-of-the-line Fenix smartwatch, with the new Fenix 7 series, and a return to the full-color display Epix smartwatch first introduced in 2015. The Fenix line represents some of the most powerful and highly regarded multisport smartwatches on the market, offering the company’s best GPS timing technology for serious athletes who value function, durability and longevity. Let’s take a look below!
Garmin Fenix 7S, 7 and 7X
Like the previous generation, in addition to the basic finish options, the Fenix 7 series is divided into three case sizes: the 42mm Fenix 7S, the 47mm Fenix 7, and the sizeable 51mm Fenix 7X.
While both the Fenix 7S and 7 are available in base and solar charging supported versions, the 7X comes standard with supplemental solar charging; and all three models are also available in a premium sapphire solar variant, which includes solar charging, a titanium case, and a tempered sapphire crystal cover glass.
On the hardware side, Garmin has implemented touchscreen functionality across the entire range. Don’t worry though, Fenix purists, the lineup still features a series of five physical buttons that users can choose from depending on the situation when it comes to the most convenient means of user interaction. Support for “all major satellite systems” remains, however, the L5 frequency range of GPS has also been added to “improve accuracy in challenging GPS environments”.
Fenix 7X owners will also find an integrated LED array that supports flashlight functionality as well as running mode support that alternates between white and red with the wearer’s running rhythm; used to make the wearer easier for nearby people to see and A means of indicating direction.
As for the software, in addition to the existing feature set that includes Garmin Pay, Spotify/Amazon Music/Deezer playback, sleep monitoring, and activity tracking, the new real-time stamina tool can notify wearers of stamina and if they’re running a track that tracks overwork during activity risk, and support for wrist downloads from the Connect IQ Store over WiFi without the need for a phone.
Another big highlight of the Fenix range is battery life, the base standard 7S gets 11 days in smartwatch mode and 37 hours in GPS mode (plus 3 days or 9 hours respectively if you opt for the solar model). Fenix 7 promises 18 days in smartwatch mode or 57 hours in GPS mode. While the 7X hits 28 days or 89 hours in smartwatch or GPS mode, respectively, solar charging adds 9 days or 33 hours, respectively.
Garmin Epix (Gen 2)
While the Fenix series already features a color transflective MIP display, similar to the original Epix, the new second-gen model has a 1.3-inch full-color always-on AMOLED touch panel. Set in a 47mm round housing. Unlike the Fenix 7, this new Epix is available as a standard or sapphire model, with a choice of leather straps.
The standard model features a polycarbonate and stainless steel body, while the Sapphire Edition ups the ante by swapping stainless steel for titanium and protecting the display with sapphire crystal instead of Gorilla Glass DX, just like the regular edition.
Features aren’t all that different from the Fenix 7, including features like Garmin Pay and music playback from services like Spotify. With the change in display technology, Garmin still promises up to 16 days in smartwatch mode and 42 hours in GPS mode.
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