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Garmin fenix 7/7S/7X vs fēnix 6/6S/6X | What's the Difference?

The New Garmin fēnix 7 Series Standard, Solar & Sapphire Solar Models vs fēnix 6/6S/6X Standard, Pro, Sapphire & Pro Solar  

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If you're like us, you're super excited that the new Garmin fēnix 7 lineup is finally here. And if you're like us, again, you're a little apprehensive about understanding the almost overwhelming options in the series.

To start, let's talk standout differences. In a first for a high-end Garmin multisport watch, the fēnix 7 series adds a touchscreen. And don't worry, they didn't take away your trusted traditional button operation that works in any environment.

Also, Garmin has added next-level endurance and real-time stamina tracking, new multi-band frequency for better positioning (Sapphire Solar only), more access to maps, and music storage on every size and model. Plus, improved fēnix 7 battery life.

Feels like learning the fēnix 6 series all over again, right? Well, if you're shopping for one of these watches, you're already dauntless. And if you're dropping $700–$1000 dollars, you're going to want to know exactly which watch you want.

Don't worry, we get it done for you in this article. Read on to learn what's new with the fēnix 7/7S/7X standard, Solar, and Sapphire Solar models, and how they differ from the fēnix 6/6S/6X standard, Pro, Sapphire, and Pro Solar models.

What's New with the Garmin fēnix 7 Series of Outdoor GPS Smartwatch?

New Touchscreen!

That's right! Get quick, convenient access with touchscreen capability on all 16 new fēnix 7 watches. But don't worry, that trusted button old-school operation is still there!

Multi-Band Satellite Tech! (Sapphire Only)

Navigate the outdoors with a higher level of positioning accuracy, thanks to new multi-band frequency and GNSS network support (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo). (Available on the Sapphire Solar models only.)

Track Your Endurance

Take your training to the next level with endurance and real-time stamina tracking, training status, advanced performance metrics, and 30+ built-in sports apps.

A Watch for Every Wrist!

Like the fēnix 6 lineup, the fēnix 7 series has many sizes and watches. Shop 3 sizes & 3 models (including Solar) and many color palettes for a total of 16 watches to choose from! Read on to find out which one is for you!

Maps on All Models!

Unlike the fēnix 6 lineup, all the watches in the fēnix 7 series have preloaded ski and golf maps. Only the Sapphire Solar comes preloaded with TopoActive maps, but you can download topo maps to the Standard and Solar models for every size!

Music Storage on All Models!

Music storage on watch was not available for the fēnix 6 and 6S stardard models. With the fēnix 7 series, you can on-board your training playlist for any watch at all price point!



The New Garmin fēnix® 7
Purpose-Built for Every Day of the Week


Garmin fēnix 6 vs fēnix 7 Series Sizes  

Like the Garmin fēnix 6, the fēnix 7 is available in three sizes:

  • Small: fēnix 7S
  • Medium: fēnix 7
  • Large: fēnix 7X

fēnix 7 vs fēnix 6 Display Size

Both the Garmin fēnix 6 and fēnix 7 outdoor fitness GPS watches offer identical display sizes:

  • fēnix 6S & 7S = 1.2" display
  • fēnix 6 & 7 = 1.3" display
  • fēnix 6X & 7X = 1.4" display

These display sizes are constant across of the models, fēnix 7/7S (standard), fēnix 7/7S/7X Solar, fēnix 7/7S/7X Sapphire Solar

fēnix 7 vs fēnix 6 Physical Dimensions/Case Size

The Garmin fēnix 7/7S/7X case sizes and weight are very similar to the fēnix 6/6S/6X Solar GPS smartwatches. Slight differences may be due to the new ultratough athletic design with fiber-reinforced polymer case of the fēnix 7 series. Difference in weight is because of steel and titanium bezels, titanium being a lighter material.

Unlike with the fēnix 6 series, all of the fēnix 7 sizes offer titanium bezels in the Sapphire Solar models.

Garmin fēnix 6S standard/Pro/Sapphire/Pro Solar
Case Size : (H x W x D) 42 x 42 x 13.8 mm; Weight: 58–61g

Garmin fēnix 7S standard/Solar/Sapphire Solar
Case Size :
(H x W x D) 42 x 42 x 14.1 mm; Weight: 58–63g

Garmin fēnix 6 standard/Pro/Sapphire/Pro Solar
Case Size : (H x W x D) 47 x 47 x 14.7 mm; Weight: 72–83g

Garmin fēnix 7 standard/Solar/Sapphire Solar
Case Size :
(H x W x D) 47 x 47 x 14.5 mm; Weight: 73–79g

Garmin fēnix 6X Pro/Sapphire/Pro Solar
Case Size : (H x W x D) 51 x 51 x 14.9 mm; Weight: 81–93g

Garmin fēnix 7X Solar/Sapphire Solar
Case Size :
(H x W x D) 51 x 51 x 14.9 mm; Weight: 79–96g

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Garmin fēnix 7 Series Models vs fēnix 6 Models

The fēnix 6 Pro Is now the fēnix 7 standard—with a touchscreen!

The word "Pro" is no longer a part of the nomenclature in the new fēnix 7 lineup of premium outdoor fitness watches. Why? Because the fēnix 7/7S standard versions (there is no 7X standard) can now do what the fēnix 6/6S/6X Pro did and more—like they all have touchscreen capability, more performance metrics, more battery life, on-watch and downloadable map options, and on-watch music storage, which the fēnix 6 and fēnix 6S did not offer.

As usual, with upgrades comes upcharge. The fēnix 7/7S standard models are, also, $150 more than the fēnix 6/6S standard versions—because, in essence, they are fēnix 6 Pros, created better!

Instead of the 19 watches with four different models—standard, Pro, Sapphire, and Pro Solar—of the fēnix 6, the fēnix 7 includes 16 premium multisport GPS watches across three models—the standard, Solar, and Sapphire Solar.

16 Garmin fēnix 7 GPS Watches, 3 Models

fēnix 7/7S (standard)

There are two fēnix 7S standard models and one fēnix 7 standard model. The standard fēnix 7/7S multisport GPS watches add a new touchscreen interface to access selections along with the watch’s trusted button controls. Performance insights and metrics help you manage your exertion and build stamina. Optimize recovery with 24/7 health and wellness monitoring of heart rate, respiration, stress, sleep and more. GPS and outdoor navigation sensors guide your outings off the beaten path. And to complement your tamer days, connected features include smart notifications (when connected to a compatible smartphone), music storage, and Garmin Pay™ contactless payments in supported countries and payment networks.

fēnix 7/7S/7X Solar

There are two Garmin fēnix 7S Solar models, one fēnix 7 Solar, and one 7X Solar. The fēnix 7 Solar outdoor fitness smartwatches sport a Power Glass™ solar charging lens that gives them the battery life to sustain a whole array of athletic and outdoor features. Trusted button controls or the new touchscreen interface offer access to selections. Performance insights and metrics help you manage your exertion and build stamina. Optimize recovery with 24/7 health and wellness monitoring of heart rate, respiration, stress, sleep and more. GPS and outdoor navigation sensors guide your outings off the beaten path. Connected features include smart notifications when connected to a compatible smartphone, music storage and Garmin Pay contactless payments.

fēnix 7/7S/7X Sapphire Solar

There are three Garmin fēnix 7S Sapphire Solar models, three fēnix 7 Sapphire Solars, and three 7X Sapphire Solar watches. The fēnix 7 Sapphire Solar multisport GPS watches have a scratch-resistant Power Sapphire solar-charging lens to enhance the already improved battery life of the fēnix 7 series. Use trusted button controls or the new touchscreen interface to access selections. Gain performance insights and metrics that help you manage your exertion and build stamina. Optimize recovery with 24/7 health and wellness monitoring of heart rate, respiration, stress, sleep, and more. Outdoor navigation sensors and new multi-band GNSS technology help guide you with a higher level of positioning accuracy, even in challenging environments. Plus, you’ll have preloaded TopoActive maps and worldwide ski and golf maps right on your wrist. Stay connected with smart notifications when connected to a compatible smartphone, on-watch music storage, and Garmin Pay contactless payments.

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Garmin fēnix 6/6S/6X vs fēnix 7/7S/7X Features Comparison

Garmin fēnix 6 vs 7 Maps & Navigation

The Garmin fēnix 6/6S standard does not come with preloaded golf, ski, or topo maps (42,000+ Garmin worldwide golf maps can be downloaded from your phone). The fēnix 6/6S/6 Pro, Sapphire, and Pro Solar models all have preloaded maps for golf, ski, road & trail—and full-color TopoActive maps.

All the Garmin fēnix 7 multisport GPS watches—fēnix 7/7S/7X standard, Solar, Sapphire Solar—come preloaded with golf, ski, road & trail maps. The fēnix 7/7S/7X Sapphire Solar models are preloaded with topographic maps, while you can download TopoActive maps onto the standard and Solar models.

Both the fēnix 6 and fēnix 7 series have built-in sensors for the 3-axis compass, gyroscope and barometric altimeter; supports multi-GNSS satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo).

Additionally, the fēnix 7/7S/7X Sapphire Solar models offer navigation with a higher level of positioning accuracy, thanks to new multi-band frequency and GNSS network support (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo).

fēnix 6 vs fēnix 7 Performance Metrics & Sports Apps

With all fēnix 6 and fēnix 7 series GPS smartwatches you can level-up with training features, such as GPS speed and distance, interval training, advanced workouts and downloadable training plans, heat and altitude acclimation, VO2 Max (run), Training Status (lets you see if you’re training effectively by tracking your training history and fitness level trend.), Training Load (your total training load for the last 7 days calculated from estimated EPOC), Training Effect (instantly measures the impact of training on aerobic and anaerobic fitness), finish time, a virtual partner, course guidance, Garmin and Strava live segments, and activity history on watch.

Additionally, the Garmin fēnix 7 series allows you to take your training to the next level with endurance and real-time stamina tracking, Training Status, advanced performance metrics and 30+ built-in sports apps.

Plus, trusted button controls that work in any environment are matched with a highly responsive touchscreen interface for quick, convenient access to selections.

Garmin fēnix 7 Health-Monitoring

The best Garmin health-monitoring features in the fēnix 6 and fēnix 7 series remain pretty much the same. Get 24/7 health and wellness monitoring with wrist-based heart rate, Pulse Ox (not available in all countries), stress, and enhanced sleep tracking (this device is intended to give an estimation of your activity and metrics; it is not a medical device).

Garmin fēnix 6 vs fēnix 7 Daily Smart Features

All advanced multisport GPS smartwatches in the Garmin fēnix 6 and fēnix 7 offer smart notifications when connected to a compatible smartphone and Garmin Pay contactless payment.

While the fēnix 6/6S standard models do not provide on-watch music storage, you can enjoy your must-have training tunes on any of the fēnix 7 watches—fēnix 7/7S/7X standard, Solar, Sapphire Solar—making them some of the best multisport and running watches with music on the market.

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Garmin fēnix 6 vs fēnix 7 Battery Life

Garmin fēnix 6S / Pro / Sapphire / Pro Solar Battery Life

Smartwatch: Up to 9 days/10.5 days with solar
Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 34 days/59 days with solar
GPS: Up to 25 hours/28 hours with solar
GPS + Music: Up to 6 hours
Max Battery GPS Mode: Up to 50 hours/64 hours with solar
Expedition GPS Activity: Up to 20 days/26 days with solar

Garmin fēnix 7S / Solar / Sapphire Solar Battery Life

Smartwatch: Up to 11 days/14 days with solar
Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 38 days/87 days with solar
GPS Only: Up to 37 hrs/46 hrs with solar
All Satellte Systems: Up to 26 hrs/30 hrs with solar
All Satellite Systems + Music: Up to 7 hrs
Max Battery GPS: Up to 90 hrs/162 hrs with solar
Expedition GPS: Up to 26 days/43 days with solar

Garmin fēnix 6 / Pro / Sapphire / Pro Solar Battery Life

Smartwatch: Up to 14 days/16 days with solar
Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 48 days/80 days with solar
GPS: Up to 36 hours/40 hours with solar
GPS + Music: Up to 10 hours
Max Battery GPS Mode: Up to 72 hours/93 hours with solar
Expedition GPS Activity: Up to 28 days/36 days with solar

Garmin fēnix 7 / Solar / Sapphire Solar Battery Life

Smartwatch: Up to 18 days/22 days with solar
Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 57 days/173 days with solar
GPS Only: Up to 57 hrs/73 hrs with solar
All Satellte Systems: Up to 40 hrs/48 hrs with solar
All Satellite Systems + Multi-band: Up to 23 hrs/26hrs with solar
All Satellite Systems + Music: Up to 10 hrs
Max Battery GPS: Up to 136 hrs/289 hrs with solar
Expedition GPS: Up to 40 days/74 days with solar

Garmin fēnix 6X Pro / Sapphire / Pro Solar Battery Life

Smartwatch: Up to 21 days/24 days with solar
Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 80 days/120 days with solar
GPS: Up to 60 hours/66 hours with solar
GPS + Music: Up to 15 hours/16 hours with solar
Max Battery GPS Mode: Up to 120 hours/148 hours with solar
Expedition GPS Activity: Up to 46 days/56 days with solar

Garmin fēnix 7X Solar / Sapphire Solar Battery Life

Smartwatch: Up to 28 days/37 days with solar
Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 90 days/ 1+ year with solar
GPS Only: Up to 89 hrs/ 122 hrs with solar
All Satellte Systems: Up to 63 hrs/ 77 hrs with solar
All Satellite Systems + Multi-band: Up to 36 hrs/ 41hrs with solar
All Satellite Systems + Music: Up to 16 hrs
Max Battery GPS: Up to 213 hrs/ 578 hrs with solar
Expedition GPS: Up to 62 days/ 139 days with solar



Garmin fēnix 7 Color Schemes

Garmin fēnix 7 Multisport GPS Watch Colors

fēnix 7S (Standard): Silver with Graphite Band, Silver with Whitestone Band

fēnix 7S Solar: Rose Gold with Light Sand Band, Slate Gray with Black

fēnix 7S Sapphire Solar: Cream Gold Titanium with Light Sand Band, Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Black Band, Dark Bronze Titanium with Shale Gray Band

fēnix 7 (Standard): Silver with Graphite Band

fēnix 7 Solar: Slate Gray with Black Band

fēnix 7 Sapphire Solar: Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Black Band, Mineral Blue DLC Titanium with Whitestone, Black DLC Titanium with Black Band

fēnix 7X Solar: Slate Gray with Black Band

fēnix 7X Sapphire Solar: Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Black Band, Mineral Blue DLC Titanium with Whitestone Band, Black DLC Titanium with Black Band


Garmin fēnix 7 Price vs fēnix 6

Garmin fēnix 7S Multisport Smartwatch Cost

fēnix 7S (Standard) — $699.99 vs fēnix 6S / Pro / Sapphire — $549.99–$749.99

fēnix 7S Solar — $799.99 vs fēnix 6 Pro Solar — $799.99

fēnix 7S Sapphire Solar — $899.99 vs fēnix 6 Pro Solar — $799.99

Garmin fēnix 7 Premium Outdoor GPS Watch Prices

fēnix 7 (Standard) — $699.99 vs fēnix 6 / Pro / Sapphire — $549.99–$849.99

fēnix 7 Solar — $799.99 vs fēnix 6 Pro Solar — $799.99–$899.99

fēnix 7 Solar Sapphire — $899.99 vs fēnix 6 Pro Solar — $799.99–$899.99

Garmin fēnix 7X Outdoor Fitness Watch Cost

fēnix 7X Solar — $899.99 vs fēnix 6X Pro / Sapphire / Pro Solar — $699.99–$949.99

fēnix 7X Sapphire Solar — $999.99 vs fēnix 6X Pro Solar — $949.99


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