Garmin fenix® 7 vs Apple Watch 7 | Which Is the Best Fitness Smartwatch?

Garmin fēnix 7/7S/7X with Solar, Sapphire
Solar Options

The biggest difference with the new Garmin fēnix 7 is the addition of a touchscreen. Trusted button controls that work in any environment are matched with a highly responsive touchscreen interface for quick, convenient access to selections.

fēnix 7 vs fēnix 6 Display Size

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

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

The fēnix 7 lineup includes 16 premium multisport GPS watches across three models—the standard, Solar, and Sapphire Solar.

The fēnix 7/7S (standard) and fēnix 7/7S/7X Solar now include preloaded golf, ski, and road & trail maps, and you are able to download TopoActive maps. Solar versions, of course, add solar-charging technology. All fēnix 7 models continue to come with built-in sensors for the 3-axis compass, gyroscope, and barometric altimeter; supports multi-GNSS satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo).

The fēnix 7/7S/7X Sapphire models provide navigation with a higher level of positioning accuracy, thanks to new multi-band frequency and GNSS network support (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo). Built-in Wi-Fi® connectivity lets you download maps for any continent at any time—without using a computer. A scratch-resistant Power Sapphire™ lens and the always-on display uses the sun’s energy to extend battery life; a built-in LED flashlight keeps you going after dark.

To see and learn all the details about all the fēnix 7 sizes and models, included colors, visit our Garmin fēnix 7 page.

Apple Watch 7

The biggest changes to the Apple Watch 7 this year is a 20% larger, brighter screen. The larger screen allows for more features. For example, you can see more of your messages or have a larger surface area for bigger buttons to tap. This prompted Apple to add a keyboard to the watch, making it pretty easy to peck out messages on the Watch 7 (although dictation is just as good, and less cumbersome).

The new Apple Watch also has improved durability with the most crack-resistant front crystal, dust resistance, and swimproof wearability.

It also adds faster charging with same all-day battery with up to 33% faster charging than Series 6.

There are also 5 all-new aluminum colors, as well.

Apple Watch 7

Garmin fēnix 7/7S/7X standard, Solar, & Sapphire Solar Models

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. As far as sport savvy, Garmin loads their tech into all of these fēnix 7 models, which includes:

• Built-in, highly accurate GPS tracking for how far, how fast, and where you run with multi-GNSS (GPS, Galileo, and GLONASS)
• Step counter
• Move bar
• Calories burned
• Floors climbed
• Distance traveled
• Intensity minutes
• Gym/sport activity profiles: strength, cardio and elliptical training, stair stepping, floor climbing, indoor rowing, pilates, yoga, running, treadmill running, indoor track running, trail running, virtual running, hiking, indoor climbing, bouldering, climbing, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, XC skiing, stand up paddleboarding, rowing, kayaking, surfing, jumpmaster, tactical, pool swimming, open water swimming, swimming/running
• Workouts: cardio, strength, yoga, and pilates
• On-screen animated workouts
• Auto rep counting
• Heart rate zones, alerts, calories, % HR max, % HRR, recovery time, auto max HR
• Heart rate variability (HRV) stress test
• GPS speed and distance
• Auto pause
• Interval training
• Advanced workouts and downloadable training plans
• Auto lap, manual lap, and configurable lap alerts
• 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 Load and Training Effect
• Finish time
• Virtual partner
• Course guidance
• Garmin and Strava live segments
• Activity history on watch
• Advanced running features
• Advanced golfing features
• Advanced outdoor recreation features
• Advanced cycling features
• Advanced swimming features

The Apple Watch 7

While it doesn't exactly shine on the fitness side, the Apple Watch 7 does bring some game to the yard with:

• The new Apple Watch adds new cycling features
• All the basic tracking metrics for counting steps, measuring distance covered, and easily monitoring daily progress
• An altimeter to measure elevation, letting you know floors climbed
• Built-in GPS lets you track runs, rides, and more, and the Workout app has evolved to track activities like dancing
• Activity rings, sharing, and competitions that can help you stay motivated to exercise
• Apple Fitness+, Apple's new fitness platform, where you can access video workouts and see your metrics on the screen of your Apple device. Get 3 months free of this subscription-based platform when you buy the watch

Apple Watch 7

Garmin fēnix 7, fēnix 7S, & fēnix 7X — Standard,
Solar, & Sapphire Solar

All sizes of the fēnix 7 share the same features. Their robust suite of Garmin health monitoring features include:

• Wrist-based heart rate metrics
• Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation (spot-check, and optional all-day acclimation and in sleep)
• Fitness age, which reinterprets your VO2 Max score to make it more relatable by estimating the body’s age using chronological age, activity, resting heart rate, and either body fat % or BMI
• Body Battery™ energy monitor allows you to track your body’s energy levels so you can find the best times for activity and rest
• Stress and relaxation features
• Advanced sleep and sleep score with insights
• Hydration
• Women's Health for tracking pregnancy and menstrual cycles.

The Apple Watch 7

• Impressively, the Apple Watch 7 offers an ECG app similar to a single-lead electrocardiogram. The ECG app can indicate whether your heart rhythm shows signs of atrial fibrillation—a serious form of irregular heart rhythm—or sinus rhythm, which means your heart is beating in a normal pattern.
• Measure blood oxygen levels
• A sleep app to help you set and achieve your sleep goals
• An app for overall health and wellness, including tracking menstrual cycles, hearing protection, and mindfulness practice

Apple Watch 7

The Apple Watch 7

We gave the Apple Watch top billing in this section, because if you lean harder on the smartwatch side of things or are a diehard iPhone person, it might win out over a Garmin for you. Most will buy this watch so that they don’t have to take their phone out of their pocket as often.

• If you want gobs of storage space and LTE connectivity, you will probably lean toward the Apple Watch. HOWEVER, you're going to pay for it and you'll have to charge it daily
• You can stream 75 million songs with Apple Music
• Use Apple Pay
• Have Siri at your disposal
• Get maps
• The App Store on your wrist
• Tap iPhone Ping button to find your phone
• Use your Apple Watch as a remote for your phone, e.g., control music, snap a pic
• Use with a cellular connection for Emergency SOS.

Garmin fēnix 7/7S/7X Standard & Solar

For the standard and Solar models of the fēnix series, you get:

• Bluetooth® Smart, ANT+® connectivity
• Connect IQ™ for downloadable watch faces, data fields, widgets and apps
• Smart notifications
• Calendar and weather
• Battery saver gives you customizable low power watch
• Controls smartphone music
• Store music playlists on-watch
• Find My Phone, Find My Watch
• Garmin Pay
• Includes preloaded golf, ski, and road & trail maps
• Downloadable TopoActive maps
• Solar versions adds solar-charging technology
• Comes with built-in sensors for the 3-axis compass, gyroscope and barometric altimeter; supports multi-GNSS satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo).

Garmin fēnix 7/7S/7X Sapphire Solar

Has all the smart features and navigation as the standard and Solar fēnix 7 models, plus:

• Navigation with a higher level of positioning accuracy, thanks to new multi-band frequency and GNSS network support (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo).
• Built-in Wi-Fi® connectivity lets you download maps for any continent at any time — without using a computer.
• Topped with a scratch-resistant Power Sapphire™ lens and the always-on display uses the sun’s energy to extend battery life; a built-in LED flashlight keeps you going after dark.

Apple Watch 7

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 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 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

The Apple Watch 7

The Apple Watch 7 smartwatch is still stuck at an 18-hour battery life.

You can, however, charge faster than ever before, thanks to the faster coils inside and the new silver-banded charger in the box (although it connects via USB-C, and doesn't come with a block in the box. Once again, Apple has upgraded the tech but removed the thing you need, forcing you to buy one, unless you've got a USB-C plug lying around).

You will still have to charge your Apple Watch nightly for it to stay charged the whole day. However, if you want sleep tracking, you'll have to give your watch a 20-minute power bump before bed to ensure that it makes it through the night. Then, you'll need to develop a routine of giving it about an hour on the charger every morning to make sure you don't run out of power during the day.

Apple Watch 7

Garmin fēnix 7S Multisport Smartwatch Cost

fēnix 7S (Standard) — $699.99

fēnix 7S Solar — $799.99

fēnix 7S Sapphire Solar — $899.99

Garmin fēnix 7 Premium Outdoor GPS Watch Prices

fēnix 7 (Standard) — $699.99

fēnix 7 Solar — $799.99

fēnix 7 Solar Sapphire — $899.99

Garmin fēnix 7X Outdoor Fitness Watch Cost

fēnix 7X Solar — $899.99

fēnix 7X Sapphire Solar — $999.99

The Apple Watch 7 — $399–$1759