Garmin Fenix 7 vs 7 Pro – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Garmin Fenix 7 & Garmin Fenix 7 Pro share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro rather than the Garmin Fenix 7. 

Why Do I Recommend The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro

  • The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro has an upgraded MIP display with enhanced brightness for better outdoor visibility & clearer screen readability in bright sunlight compared to the Garmin Fenix 7.
  • Garmin Fenix 7 Pro features a built-in LED flashlight for improved safety and convenience in low-light conditions, while the Garmin Fenix 7 lacks this essential tool.
  • It includes Multiband GPS for superior location accuracy, whereas the Garmin Fenix 7 lacks this feature.
  • The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro standardizes Power Sapphire glass for enhanced scratch resistance and durability, whereas the Garmin Fenix 7 uses Gorilla Glass DX.
  • Garmin Fenix 7 Pro offers better battery life with up to 37 days in smartwatch mode with solar charging, compared to the Garmin Fenix 7’s maximum of 18 days.
  • It comes with Training Readiness, Endurance Score, and Hill Score for advanced fitness tracking; those features are missing in the Garmin Fenix 7.
  • The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro has a new Gen 5 Elevate heart rate sensor for more precise HR tracking, improved sleep monitoring, and better performance metrics, compared to the Gen 4 sensor in the Garmin Fenix 7.
  • Garmin Fenix 7 Pro includes preloaded TopoActive maps for easier navigation, while the Garmin Fenix 7 requires manually downloaded maps.

Maybe the Garmin Fenix 7 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

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Side By Side Comparison

FeatureGarmin Fenix 7 ProGarmin Fenix 7
Display TypeEnhanced MIP with better brightnessStandard MIP
FlashlightIntegrated LED flashlightNo built-in flashlight
Screen ProtectionPower Sapphire standard across all modelsGorilla Glass DX
Storage Capacity32GB16GB
Battery Life (Smartwatch Mode)37 days18 days
Battery Life (GPS Mode)122 hours57 hours
Battery Life (Expedition Mode)139 days40 days
Heart Rate SensorGen 5Gen 4
Training Readiness ScoreIncludedNot available
Endurance ScoreIncludedNot available
Hill ScoreIncludedNot available
Multiband GPSIncludedNot available
Preloaded MapsTopoActive maps preloadedLimited preloaded maps
HRV StatusIncludedNot available
Bezel MaterialTitaniumStainless Steel
Sleep TrackingAdvanced sleep tracking with HRVBasic
Recovery Time AdvisorEnhanced with HRV dataStandard calculation
Race PredictorEnhanced versionStandard
Trail Run VO2 MaxAvailableNot available
Wrist-based Running PowerAvailableNot available
PriceCheck Fenix 7 Pro PriceCheck Fenix 7 Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Same Build and Durability: Both watches feature fiber-reinforced polymer construction with a metal rear cover, making them highly rugged and durable. They are both water-resistant up to 10 ATM (100 meters), making them ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and outdoor adventures.

  • Identical Size Options: The Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro are available in the same sizes: 42mm, 47mm, and 51mm. This means that strap compatibility and overall fit are identical between the two models.

  • Touchscreen and Physical Button Controls: 
    Both models feature touchscreen navigation while retaining Garmin’s traditional five-button layout, providing users with multiple ways to interact with the watch.

  • Comprehensive Sensor Suite: 
    Each model includes an altimeter, barometer, compass, temperature sensor, accelerometer, and Pulse Ox sensor for accurate tracking of outdoor conditions and health metrics.

  • Multi-GNSS Support: Both models support GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO, ensuring strong connectivity in various environments.

  • Health & Fitness Tracking: Features such as heart rate monitoring, respiration tracking, stress tracking, hydration logging, women’s health tracking, sleep tracking, and body battery monitoring are available on both watches.

  • Advanced Training & Performance Metrics: They both support VO2 Max estimation, recovery time advisor, daily suggested workouts, training load & status, performance metrics (like pace, stamina, and cadence), and fitness age estimation.

  • Smart Features & Connectivity: Both watches provide Garmin Pay, music storage for up to 2,000 songs, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and ANT+ support, making them fully functional smartwatches with seamless connectivity.

  • Garmin Ecosystem Integration: Whether you choose the Fenix 7 or Fenix 7 Pro, you get full compatibility with Garmin Connect, Garmin Coach, and syncing with third-party fitness apps like Strava and MyFitnessPal.

  • Battery Saver Mode & Expedition Mode: Both models feature advanced power-saving modes, extending battery life significantly when needed for long trips or hikes.

Common Features

FeatureGarmin Fenix 7 ProGarmin Fenix 7
Case Size Options42mm, 47mm, 51mm42mm, 47mm, 51mm
Water Resistance10 ATM (100 meters)10 ATM (100 meters)
Touchscreen & Button ControlsYesYes
Color DisplayYesYes
Customizable Watch FacesYesYes
Always-On Display ModeYesYes
GPS SupportGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
Multi-GNSS SupportYesYes
AltimeterYesYes
BarometerYesYes
CompassYesYes
AccelerometerYesYes
Pulse Ox SensorYesYes
Temperature SensorYesYes
Heart Rate MonitoringYesYes
Sleep TrackingYesYes
Body Battery Energy MonitoringYesYes
Respiration Rate TrackingYesYes
Stress MonitoringYesYes
Hydration TrackingYesYes
Women’s Health TrackingYesYes
Fitness Age EstimationYesYes
VO2 Max EstimationYesYes
Recovery Time AdvisorYesYes
Race PredictorYesYes
Daily Suggested WorkoutsYesYes
Smart NotificationsYesYes
Garmin PayYesYes
Music Storage & StreamingYesYes
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ANT+YesYes
Custom Workouts & Training PlansYesYes
Live Event SharingYesYes
Garmin Connect & SyncingYesYes
Price Check Fenix 7 Pro Price Check Fenix 7 Price

FAQ

Does the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro have better GPS than the Fenix 7?
Yes, the Fenix 7 Pro has Multi-Band GPS available in all models, while on the Fenix 7, it is only included in the Sapphire Solar versions. This means that the Fenix 7 Pro offers improved location tracking and accuracy across all versions.

Is the built-in flashlight on the Fenix 7 Pro useful?
The built-in LED flashlight on the Fenix 7 Pro is a significant addition for outdoor activities, running in low-light conditions, and emergency situations. It offers adjustable brightness levels and a strobe mode, which is especially helpful for visibility and safety during nighttime activities.

Are the display sizes the same on both the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro?
Yes, the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro have identical display sizes across their respective models: 1.2 inches for the 42mm version, 1.3 inches for the 47mm version, and 1.4 inches for the 51mm version. However, the Fenix 7 Pro has an improved MIP display with enhanced brightness for better outdoor readability.

Does the Fenix 7 Pro have better battery life than the Fenix 7?
Yes, the Fenix 7 Pro offers better battery life across different modes, especially in solar versions. For example, in smartwatch mode, the Fenix 7 Pro lasts up to 22 days (37 days with solar), while the Fenix 7 lasts up to 18 days (22 days with solar). The difference is even more noticeable in GPS and expedition modes, where the Fenix 7 Pro has significantly longer endurance.

Do both the Garmin Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro have touchscreen controls?
Yes, both watches feature touchscreen functionality along with traditional five-button controls. This provides users with flexible navigation options depending on preference and activity type.

Are the Garmin Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro made from the same materials?
Yes, both watches have a fiber-reinforced polymer case with a metal rear cover. However, the Fenix 7 Pro standardizes Power Sapphire as the display material across all models, while the Fenix 7 offers Gorilla Glass DX or Sapphire Glass depending on the version.

Do both watches support music storage and streaming?
Yes, both the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro allow for storing up to 2,000 songs and support streaming services like Spotify, Deezer, and Amazon Music. Users can download playlists for offline listening.

Are the strap sizes and bands interchangeable between the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro?
Yes, both watches use the same QuickFit band system, allowing users to swap straps between models easily. The 42mm versions use 20mm bands, the 47mm versions use 22mm bands, and the 51mm versions use 26mm bands.

Does the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro offer better health tracking than the Fenix 7?
Yes, the Fenix 7 Pro includes a Gen 5 Elevate heart rate sensor, which provides improved accuracy compared to the Gen 4 sensor in the Fenix 7. It also introduces advanced HRV tracking, which enhances sleep monitoring and recovery insights.

Do both the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro support Garmin Pay?
Yes, both models support Garmin Pay, allowing users to make contactless payments using their smartwatch at supported terminals.

Can both watches be used for swimming and diving?
Yes, both the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro are water-resistant up to 10 ATM, meaning they can be used for swimming, snorkeling, and general water activities. However, they are not recommended for deep-sea diving.

Does the Fenix 7 Pro come with preloaded maps?
Yes, the Fenix 7 Pro includes preloaded TopoActive maps in all models, whereas the Fenix 7 requires users to download maps separately. This makes the Pro version more convenient for navigation out of the box.

Do both watches support third-party apps and Garmin Connect IQ?
Yes, both watches are compatible with Garmin’s Connect IQ store, allowing users to download additional apps, widgets, watch faces, and custom data fields.

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