When it comes to smartwatches Garmin puts out some really hefty hardware, and the Fenix 7 series is the latest to come from the company. Following up on the Fenix 6 series, the Garmin Fenix 7 series keeps a lot of the same features from the older models. But it amplifies things by adding some decent improvements to the watches that will make them even more useful than they already were.
From battery life to additional features, the Garmin Fenix 7 series watches are among some of the most capable smartwatches you’ll find. Some of this boils down to more options for solar-powered variants this time around. But Garmin is also making strides by adding things like built-in flashlights and touchscreen displays.
The Fenix 7 is not your typical smartwatch as it’s geared more towards those who keep a pretty active lifestyle. Anyone can use them of course. However, they’re not cheap. And many users might find that spending that amount of money for things they’ll never use ends up being a waste.
With all of that said, let’s dive into the watch more. This handy guide will break down a lot of the important details about Garmin’s newest wrist-worn wearables.
What is the Garmin Fenix 7 series?
The Garmin Fenix 7 series is Garmin’s latest lineup of sports watches with numerous smart features. If you know Garmin, then you know how much emphasis the company places on sports and fitness features. Things like built-in GPS are a mainstay with Garmin devices. But these take things to the next level with additional features like tracking elevation during your outdoor adventures. And that’s just one of the many things these watches offer.
But when you get down to it, the Fenix 7 series is a smartwatch geared towards sports and fitness with plenty of outdoor oriented features.
What sizes is the watch offered in?
Garmin offers three sizes of the Fenix 7. The Fenix 7S, The Fenix 7, and the Fenix 7X. These correlate to the small (42mm), medium (47mm), and large (51mm) sizes of the watch. But they also dictate which models you can pick up. For example, you can get a standard model with less features (and a lower price) in the 7S and 7 series watches. But not with the 7X, which is only available in the Solar and Sapphire Solar models.
How many models are there?
You can pick up the Garmin Fenix 7S and the Fenix 7 in a standard model, as well as a solar model and a solar model with a sapphire display. You can pick up the 7X in a solar model or a solar model with a sapphire display.
These will all have varying prices. Based on the model you pick. The solar models will cost more, and the solar models with a sapphire display will cost the most. So consider what sort of build you want for the watch if you’re thinking about picking one up.
What’s new with the Garmin Fenix 7 series
The Garmin Fenix 7 adds plenty of new changes worth the upgrade. Even if you’re coming from a Fenix 6. Though some things have stayed the same which is also for the better. For instance, the Fenix 7 series use the same type of MIP display that helps with visibility in bright sunlight. So these are perfect for anytime you’re outside in sunny climates whether it’s a day hike or a run.
As for new stuff, these displays are now touch-capable. While some might prefer the use of buttons on the side for all their interaction, the touch-capable screens make it pretty easy to navigate everything. Garmin isn’t forcing you to use the touchscreen though. The side buttons on all models of the Garmin Fenix 7 series watches will allow you to navigate and interact with the device. So you can use whichever method you like best.
As noted above, you can also get each size of the watch with solar-powered charging. This allows you to charge the watch up normally when you can. But in addition to that you can charge the battery with solar power. This will cost more, but it might come in handy if you live in an area that gets a lot of sun even if only for part of the year.
Improved GPS is another new feature on the Fenix 7 series. And you’ll get this on all models. And remember the flash light we mentioned above? You’ll get that option if you pick up either of the Fenix 7X models. With options for multiple modes that turn the light into a dimmable white LED, a red LED, or a strobe mode that syncs up with the swing of your arms.
Can you disable the touchscreen?
Yes. You can opt to disable the touchscreen if you don’t particularly like using it. This is also useful if you just don’t want the accidental touches popping up. To disable the touchscreen, simply long press both the bottom left and top right buttons simultaneously for a few seconds. This will turn the touchscreen capabilities off and then all future interactions will be usable with the side buttons only.
You can also re-enable the touchscreen at any time if you wish to start using it by long pressing the same two buttons.
How long does the battery life last?
This will depend on which model you buy. With something like the Solar or Sapphire Solar model of the Fenix 7X, you can get up to 37 days of battery life in Smartwatch Mode. While Sapphire Solar and Standard models of the Fenix 7 will last up to 18 days, with the Sapphire Solar bumping up to 22 days using the solar charging functionality.
Even the Standard model of the 7S can last for up to 11 days. The point is the battery life all of these watches is long. So you can take them on your excursions knowing they should be fine. Though if you want to be extra safe and plan to stay out for weeks, the Sapphire Solar Fenix 7X is your best bet.
What are the specs?
The specs will vary slightly by model but for the most part you’re looking at quite a few similarities. For instance, all watch models come standard with a silicone strap material. They also all have a 10ATM water rating, and they all feature the same health monitoring capabilities like heart rate, daily resting heart rate, body battery, all-day stress, sleep and more.
Every model has mostly the same sensors as well. Including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, compass, gyroscope, and others. The only sensor that’s exclusive is the multi-frequency positioning which you can find on the Sapphire Solar edition of the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7X.
If you want the full spec breakdowns, you can see comparisons of the different models in the image gallery below.
How much do the Garmin Fenix 7 series watches cost?
As mentioned above prices will vary based on the model you pick. That being said, prices will start at $699 which for the standard edition of the Fenix 7S. The Solar edition bumps the price up to $799 and the Sapphire Solar edition bumps it up to $899.
The starting prices are the exact same for the Fenix 7. If you jump up to the Fenix 7X, then the Solar edition starts at $899 instead of $799, and the Sapphire Solar edition starts at $999.
Can I listen to music on these watches?
Yes. All models will come with support for three different music apps, so you have your choice of which one to use. These include Amazon Music, Deezer, or Spotify. There is no support for options like Apple Music, YouTube Music, Pandora or other streaming music services.
Though you will find native apps for all three of the supported services listed above.
Are there any new training features?
Yes. There are two new training features with the Garmin Fenix 7 series watches. This includes real-time stamina and visual race predictor. With real-time stamina, you’re able to monitor your body’s stamina by either potential or current stamin estimate values.
Real-time Stamina
Potential stamina is the value given to you at the start of your activity. The watch then monitors this level and you’ll see it decrease over the course of time for that activity. Current stamina meanwhile gives you an estimated amount of time for how long you will be able to keep up your activity at the intensity level you’re currently at.
Both of these can be useful depending on how you like to keep tabs on your exercise.
Visual Race Predictor
With the Visual Race Predictor what Garmin did was visualize the existing Race Predictor feature data. So instead of having to navigate to a separate page to view this information, everything is presented in a nice and neat little graph right on the watch display. This should make it easier to stay on top of that data during races since you can more easily access it.
Can I still download apps to the watch?
Yes! And Garmin has simplified this process by introducing Connect IQ On Device. You will no longer have to download apps to the watch from your smartphone or a connected PC. Instead, you’ll be able to find apps and watch faces on the watch itself and download them to the watch directly using its own interface.
Saving you time and making the experience just generally more enjoyable with less hassle.
What colors do the Garmin Fenix 7 series watches come in?
Garmin offers a variety of color options for each model of the watch. Though not every model will come in every color. For example you can pick up the Sapphire Solar edition of the Fenix 7 in Black DLC Titanium with a Black band, Mineral Blue Titanium with a Whitestone band, and Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with a Black band.
Meanwhile, you can pick up the Sapphire Solar edition of the Fenix 7S in Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with a Black band, Cream Gold Titanium with a Light Sand band, and Dark Bronze Titanium with a Shale Gray band.
The Fenix 7X comes in Slate Gray with a Black band in the Solar edition, and in Black DLC Titanium with a Black band, Mineral Blue Titanium with a Whitestone band, and Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with a Black band.
Where can I buy the Garmin Fenix 7 Series watches?
You can buy the Garmin Fenix 7 Series watches from a number of retailers both online and in-store. Including Garmin’s own website, Amazon, GameStop, Adorama, ABT Electronics, and Best Buy.
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