Earlier this year, Garmin released the Fenix 7 series of smartwatches which succeeds the very popular and highly rated Fenix 6. Although the new watches spot a very similar appearance to their respective predecessors, they come with new features like more sports profiles, the screen is now touch-sensitive, the Garmin Connect app is now available on these watches, the heart rate sensor has been improved, you can now download maps directly on these watches using the new map manager app, and the Fenix 7 series have longer battery life than the Fenix 6 series.
Just like the Fenix 6 series, the Fenix 7 series comes in three sizes; 42mm, 47mm and 51mm which represent Fenix 7S, Fenix 7 and Fenix 7X respectively. Each of these is available in three models except for the Fenix 7X which is available in two models. Although each of these has a lot in common, there are slight discrepancies. This detailed guide compares Garmin Fenix 7S vs 7 vs 7X so that you know the differences.
Introducing all the Fenix 7 Series Models and Their Differences
Before we continue, you need to know all the models in the Fenix 7 series. There are 8 models in total. Three 7S models, Fenix 7S Standard, Fenix 7S Solar and Fenix 7S Sapphire Solar. Similarly, the Fenix 7 comes in Fenix 7 Standard, Fenix 7 Solar and Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar just like the 7S. Meanwhile, the Fenix 7X is only available in two models, Fenix 7X Solar and Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar.
In all, you have 8 different models in the Fenix 7 Series.
All the models share a lot of similarities except for slight differences. The Standard and Solar models are the same in every aspect except that the Solar models have longer battery life. As a result, they are priced higher.
On the other hand, the Sapphire Solar models have the most durable build, feature more maps, have higher storage and multi-band GPS for better accuracy in location tracking. As a result, the Sapphire Solar models are priced higher than the Standard (base) and Solar models.
In other words, the Sapphire Solar models have a more sophisticated Sapphire glass against Corning Gorilla Glass 3 of the base and Solar models. It also has a titanium bezel and titanium cover compared to the stainless steel bezel and stainless steel cover of the other two models. It has 32GB storage compared to 16GB of the other two and comes with preloaded Topo maps, road/trail, and ski resort maps. The base and Solar models come with only ski resort maps but you can download the other two maps using the built-in map manager app.
Garmin Fenix 7S vs 7 vs 7X Full Specifications Comparison
Featured in this comparison table are the Sapphire Solar Models of all three (7S, 7, and 7X).
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Garmin Fenix 7S vs 7 vs 7X – Full Comparison
Display
The main reason, Garmin released three different sizes of same watch is to give you the consumer options. In this regard, the 7S is the smallest size as indicated by the “S” in its nomenclature. Similarly, the 7X is the biggest as you can notice from the “X” in its name.
The 7S comes in 42mm, while the Fenix 7 comes in 47mm and the Fenix 7X comes in 51mm. This is just like the Fenix 6 series and even the Fenix 5 series.
In this regard, the Fenix 7S has the smallest display size of 1.2 inches compared to 1.3 inches of Fenix 7 and 1.4 inches of Fenix 7X.
It’s the same regular transflective memory-in-pixel technology that powers the display of these three. Each of these has a bright and easy-to-read display but is not so colorful compared to AMOLED. Meanwhile, all the Fenix 7 series of watches have a touch-sensitive display. This is in addition to 5 buttons in each model that aids navigation.
Design
In the same precinct, the Fenix 7S which comes in 42mm weighs the least while the 47mm Fenix 7 weighs a little more and the 51mm Fenix 7X weighs the most.
The Fenix 7S is also the slimmest. In other words, the Fenix 7S is the most compact and portable to wear. Meanwhile, the base and Solar models come in a fiber-polymer case with stainless steel back and bezel, while the Sapphire Solar models come in a fiber-polymer case with a titanium cover and bezel.
The Fenix 7S Sapphire solar model is available in dark-bronze/shale-gray band, carbon-gray/black band and cream-gold/light-sand band, while the Fenix 7 sapphire is available in mineral-blue/whitestone band, carbon-gray/black band and black/black band and Fenix 7X sapphire solar is available in mineral-blue/whitestone band, carbon-gray/black band and black/black band.
Overall, all Fenix 7 series of smartwatches are well built with durable materials.
Activity Tracking
Just like every other Garmin smartwatch, every model in the Fenix 7 series is very fitness-focused and well equipped with lots of sensors that make each of these a comprehensive fitness tracker and no doubt among the best fitness smartwatches on the market.
Every model of the Fenix 7 series has the same fitness tracking features. However, the Sapphire Solar models being more expensive have more activity tracking features than the base and Solar models.
The Sapphire Solar models come with more preloaded maps and have multi-band GPS support. Other than these extra features, all the models have the same activity tracking features.
Each of the models in the Fenix 7 series will track your heart rate, sleep, steps, floors, distance, routes and locations, stress, blood oxygen, respiratory rate, hydration tracking, and have support for incidental fall detection that lets you start a call on your phone when the watch detects a hard fall (phone must be nearby).
New activity tracking features have also been added to the Fenix 7 series. These include more sport and gym profiles, a health snapshot introduced to Venu 2 that lets you log vital data is also available as well as the ability to download maps right from the watch. On this note, the Fenix 7 series models are some of the best fitness-oriented smartwatches. You can check below for a full list of all the activity tracking features the Fenix 7 series posses.
Media Storage
In terms of storage, the Fenix 7S, 7, and 7X all have the same storage capacity. Although, the individual models have different storage capacities. The Sapphire Solar models of the Fenix 7S, 7 and 7X have a 32GB higher storage capacity compared to the 16GB of the Standard and Solar models.
There is no microphone nor loudspeaker in any of the models, in other words, listening to music on any of these is via a Bluetooth headphone. You need to connect Bluetooth headphone to enjoy music on any of these watches. You can stream and download music from popular music services. Supported services are Spotify, Deezer and Amazon Music. Note that you may need to subscribe to a premium account to enjoy music on any of these services.
Managing Notifications and Payments
Every model in the Fenix 7 Series will also alert and allow you to manage notifications received on your phone. So irrespective of which model you own, 7S, 7 or 7X, you will be able to manage calls, SMS and notifications for enabled apps. Only Android users can reply to notifications, and this is just via preset reply as there is no keyboard to type your replies.
The regular Garmin Pay is available on all models of the Fenix 7 series. This is a non-contactless payment system that lets you make payments from these watches so you don’t need to carry your cards every time.
Battery Life
One of the big highlights of the Fenix 7 series is the outrageous long battery life of these watches. They’re certainly at the top echelon of smartwatches with the longest battery life.
However, the battery life of the different models differs. The Fenix 7X model which has the biggest case size has the longest battery life. Its followed up by the Fenix 7, while the Fenix 7S being the most compact has the least battery life.
Furthermore, the Solar unit of the respective models has a longer battery life than the standard units. That’s to say that the Fenix 7S Solar and Fenix 7S Sapphire Solar have the same battery life as Fenix 7S Standard. Same applies to Fenix 7 and Fenix 7X units.
Fenix 7s, 7 Or 7x Which Size and Model Is Right for You?
Obviously, Garmin like other manufacturers releases the same smartwatch in different sizes simply to give the end user options to choose the right size based on the individual. In other words, the Fenix 7S is particularly designed for women and individuals with slim wrists. Likewise, the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7X which are bigger will be more suitable for men and individuals who have a fat wrists.
A simple way to know which size is best for you is to measure the width of your wrist using a meter rule, then compare it with the size of the watch. For instance, if your wrist measures 43mm, the Fenix 7S is the right choice for you. If it says 45mm or 46mm, the Fenix 7 is right for you.
Meanwhile, deciding on which model is right for you totally depends on your budget. Clearly, the Sapphire Solar models are the best choice here. They have a more durable build, weigh a little less, have more storage, more preloaded maps and have multi-band GPS support. In addition, the Sapphire Solar models also have the same battery life as the Solar models. However, it will cost you $100 more.
On the other hand, the Standard and Solar models are still awesome choices considering that they are also very durable, have long battery life and you can always download more maps.
Fenix 7s vs 7 vs 7x – Activity Tracking Features Compared
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