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

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Garmin Fenix 7 & Garmin Fenix 7x 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 7x rather than the Garmin Fenix 7. 

Why Do I Recommend The Garmin Fenix 7x

  • The Garmin Fenix 7X features a larger 1.4-inch display with a 280 x 280 resolution for better readability and more screen space for widgets, maps, and tracking data than the Garmin Fenix 7’s 1.3-inch display.
  • Garmin Fenix 7X includes a built-in LED flashlight with adjustable brightness levels and a strobe mode for improved visibility in low-light conditions and emergencies, which is absent in the Garmin Fenix 7.
  • It has a significantly longer battery life, lasting up to 28 days in smartwatch mode and up to 89 hours in GPS mode, compared to the Garmin Fenix 7’s 18-day and 57-hour durations.
  • The Garmin Fenix 7X supports a 26mm QuickFit band for a more secure fit and improved comfort during extreme activities, whereas the Garmin Fenix 7 uses a smaller 22mm band.
  • Garmin Fenix 7X features an extended battery saver mode lasting over a year with solar charging for long adventures, while the Garmin Fenix 7 lasts up to 173 days.
  • The Garmin Fenix 7X offers superior navigation support for maps, better route visibility, and enhanced usability for hikers and runners compared to the Garmin Fenix 7’s navigation.

Maybe the Garmin Fenix 7 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Garmin Fenix 7x. 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 7xGarmin Fenix 7
Display Size1.4 inches1.3 inches
Display Resolution280 x 280 pixels260 x 260 pixels
Bezel MaterialStainless SteelBlack DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) Titanium
Case Size51mm47mm
Case MaterialFiber-Reinforced PolymerFiber-Reinforced Polymer
Weight89g73g
Lens MaterialPower GlassPower Sapphire
Battery Life (Smartwatch Mode)Up to 28 days (37 days with solar)Up to 18 days (22 days with solar)
Battery Life (GPS Mode)Up to 89 hours (122 hours with solar)Up to 57 hours (73 hours with solar)
Battery Life (Expedition GPS Mode)Up to 62 days (139 days with solar)Up to 40 days (74 days with solar)
Battery Life (Battery Saver Mode)Up to 90 days (1+ year with solar)Up to 57 days (173 days with solar)
QuickFit Band Size26mm22mm
Built-in LED FlashlightYesNo
Durability & Scratch ResistanceStandard Corning Gorilla GlassSapphire Crystal
PriceCheck Fenix 7x PriceCheck Fenix 7 Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Core Features & Build: Both watches belong to the Garmin Fenix 7 Series and share the same rugged design, high-quality fiber-reinforced polymer case, and stainless steel or titanium bezel.

  • Display & Touchscreen: They both use transflective MIP displays with always-on mode and touchscreen capabilities, providing great visibility in sunlight.

  • GPS & Navigation: Both support multi-band GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo) for high-accuracy positioning, turn-by-turn navigation, Up Ahead waypoints, and multi-continent topographic maps.

  • Health & Fitness Tracking: Both watches provide heart rate monitoring, Pulse Ox sensor, sleep tracking, stress tracking, HRV status, VO2 Max estimation, and training load & recovery tracking.

  • Smartwatch Features: Both support Garmin Pay, smartphone notifications, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ANT+ connectivity, and Garmin Connect IQ Store for apps and watch faces.

  • Sports & Outdoor Features: Both include running, cycling, swimming, hiking, golf, and adventure tracking features like PacePro, ClimbPro, real-time stamina tracking, and race predictor.

  • Battery & Solar Charging: Both models have solar charging capabilities (on Solar and Sapphire Solar editions) and include battery-saving modes to extend performance.

  • Waterproof & Durability: Both are 10 ATM water-resistant, making them suitable for swimming, diving, and extreme outdoor conditions.

  • Safety & Tracking: Both support LiveTrack, incident detection, and assistance alerts to enhance user safety during activities.

  • Music & Storage: Both watches allow users to store and play music (up to 2,000 songs) and sync with Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer.

Common Features

FeatureGarmin Fenix 7xGarmin Fenix 7
BrandGarminGarmin
Display TypeTransflective MIPTransflective MIP
TouchscreenYesYes
Always-On DisplayYesYes
Sapphire Edition AvailableYesYes
Power Sapphire (Solar + Sapphire)YesYes
Water Resistance10 ATM10 ATM
Music StorageUp to 2,000 songsUp to 2,000 songs
Wi-Fi ConnectivityYesYes
Bluetooth & ANT+YesYes
Pulse Ox SensorYesYes
Heart Rate MonitoringYesYes
Sleep TrackingYesYes
HRV Status & Stress TrackingYesYes
VO2 Max MonitoringYesYes
Training Readiness ScoreYesYes
Training Load & Recovery TimeYesYes
Daily Suggested WorkoutsYesYes
PacePro & ClimbProYesYes
Real-Time StaminaYesYes
Race PredictorYesYes
Up Ahead Navigation FeatureYesYes
Preloaded MapsTopoActiveTopoActive
Turn-by-Turn NavigationYesYes
Safety & Tracking FeaturesLiveTrack, Incident DetectionLiveTrack, Incident Detection
Garmin PayYesYes
Smartphone NotificationsYesYes
Garmin Connect IQ Store SupportYesYes
Customizable Watch Faces & AppsYesYes
Battery Saver ModeYesYes
Expedition GPS ModeYesYes
Multi-Band GPS SupportYesYes
Multi-Continent Topographic MapsYesYes
PriceCheck Fenix 7x PriceCheck Fenix 7 Price

FAQ

Does the Garmin Fenix 7X have better battery life than the Garmin Fenix 7?
Yes, the Fenix 7X has a longer battery life due to its larger size, which allows for a bigger battery. It offers up to 28 days in smartwatch mode compared to 18 days on the Fenix 7. In GPS mode, the Fenix 7X lasts up to 89 hours, whereas the Fenix 7 lasts up to 57 hours. The solar editions further extend these numbers.

Do both the Garmin Fenix 7 and Fenix 7X have solar charging?
Yes, both models offer solar charging, but only on the Solar and Sapphire Solar editions. The solar performance on the Fenix 7X is better due to its larger solar panel surface, providing longer battery life compared to the Fenix 7.

Is the LED flashlight available on both Garmin Fenix 7 and Fenix 7X?
No, the LED flashlight is exclusive to the Fenix 7X. It provides different brightness levels and a strobe mode, which is useful for outdoor activities and emergency situations.

Are both Garmin Fenix 7 and Fenix 7X water-resistant?
Yes, both watches have a water resistance rating of 10 ATM, meaning they can withstand pressures equivalent to a depth of 100 meters, making them suitable for swimming, snorkeling, and other water-related activities.

Do the Garmin Fenix 7 and 7X support music storage?
Yes, both models allow you to store and play music with up to 2,000 songs. They support Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer, enabling offline playback without needing a phone.

Do both watches have touchscreen functionality?
Yes, both the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7X come with touchscreen functionality, allowing for easier navigation through menus and maps. The touchscreen can be disabled when necessary, especially during workouts or wet conditions.

What kind of GPS accuracy do the Garmin Fenix 7 and Fenix 7X provide?
Both models feature multi-band GNSS support, including GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo, ensuring highly accurate positioning, even in challenging environments such as dense forests or urban areas with tall buildings.

Can I use the Garmin Fenix 7 and 7X for turn-by-turn navigation?
Yes, both watches support turn-by-turn navigation, preloaded TopoActive maps, and advanced navigation features like ClimbPro and Up Ahead, making them great for hiking, running, and cycling.

Do both the Garmin Fenix 7 and Fenix 7X track heart rate and SpO2 levels?
Yes, both models come with wrist-based heart rate monitoring and a Pulse Ox sensor to track blood oxygen levels. They also offer stress tracking, sleep monitoring, and HRV status for overall wellness insights.

Are the watch bands interchangeable on both models?
Yes, both the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7X use QuickFit bands, but the sizes differ. The Fenix 7 uses 22mm bands, while the Fenix 7X uses 26mm bands.

Do both Garmin Fenix 7 and Fenix 7X support Garmin Pay?
Yes, both models support Garmin Pay, allowing you to make contactless payments from your wrist at supported payment terminals.

Can I receive smartphone notifications on both watches?
Yes, both the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7X can receive notifications from smartphones, including calls, messages, and app alerts. They are compatible with both iOS and Android devices.

Do both models support third-party apps and watch faces?
Yes, both watches are compatible with the Garmin Connect IQ Store, where users can download third-party apps, widgets, watch faces, and custom data fields.

Which model is better for outdoor activities like hiking and ultra-running?
The Fenix 7X is the better choice for extended outdoor activities because of its larger display, longer battery life, and built-in LED flashlight, making it ideal for hiking, ultra-running, and multi-day adventures. However, the Fenix 7 still offers excellent outdoor features in a more compact size.

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