Let's just start by saying that the new fēnix 7 and epix outdoor multisport GPS watches are both, at heart, Garmin fēnix watches. And yet, they each bring nuanced experiences to your wrist. Because that's what's Garmin does.
It's not enough that they bring the best and latest technology in performance metrics, GPS tracking, health and wellness monitoring, battery life, and smart features—Garmin watches give us options. Why? Because we're not all exactly alike, and the wearable tools we use 7 days a week to manage our training, persuits, health, and daily life should not be either. Then there's the style-factor, which Garmin watches offer in spades.
The most notable difference between the Garmin fēnix 7 and the epix is the display. The fēnix 7 series now adds a touchscreen to Garmin's trusted button operation. And the Garmin epix offers a stunning AMOLED touchscreen display.
Additionally, the fēnix 7 lineup offers many more size, model, and color options. After that, the differences are subtle. But when you're dropping $700-$1,000, you're going to want to get familiar with these multisport GPS smartwatches—and that's the reason for this article.
The fēnix 7 is available in three sizes:
The Epix is available in one size, which is the same as the medium fēnix 7.
The fēnix 7 outdoor fitness GPS watches display sizes are the same as the fēnix 6:
These display sizes are constant across of the models, fēnix 7/7S (standard), fēnix 7/7S/7X Solar, fēnix 7/7S/7X Sapphire Solar.
Note: There is no standard model for the fēnix 7X.
The Garmin fēnix 7/7S/7X case sizes and weight are very similar to the fēnix 6 lineup. The Garmin epix (Gen 2) has the same dimensions as the fēnix 7 size but is several grams lighter, no doubt due to slightly less battery life and lack of space allotted for solar-charging technology on some fēnix 7 models.
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 and the epix GPS watches offer titanium bezels in the Sapphire models.
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 7 standard/Solar/Sapphire Solar
Case Size : (H x W x D) 47 x 47 x 14.5 mm; Weight: 73–79g
Garmin fēnix 7X Solar/Sapphire Solar
Case Size : (H x W x D) 51 x 51 x 14.9 mm; Weight: 79–96g
Garmin epix standard/Sapphire
Case Size : (H x W x D) 47 x 47 x 14.5 mm; Weight: 70–76g
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.
As for the Garmin epix (Gen 2) premium GPS smartwatches with AMOLED display, there are three watches total—one standard and two Sapphire editions with titanium bezels.
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 offers 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.
Garmin epix (standard)
With epix premium active smartwatch, you can take on every day with the stunning AMOLED display and up to 16 days of battery life in smartwatch mode. Stay connected with smart features, music storage, and get even more functionality on the wrist with Garmin Pay contactless payments. Understand your body with 24/7 health and wellness monitoring features that track Pulse Ox, heart rate, respiration and more. Train how you want with 30+ built-in sports apps, and take it further with performance metrics and Garmin Coach training plans. When you’re ready for adventure, you can download TopoActive mapping via Wi-Fi connectivity.
Garmin epix (Gen 2) Sapphire
Get everything that comes with the standard model, plus preloaded TopoActive maps on Sapphire editions. Plus, Sapphire editions support multi-band GNSS technology for stronger, better, more accurate positioning in challenging environments.
All the Garmin fēnix 7 multisport GPS watches—fēnix 7/7S/7X standard, Solar, Sapphire Solar—and the epix (standard) come preloaded with golf, ski, road & trail maps.
The epix Sapphire editions and 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 epix 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 and the epix Sapphire watches offer navigation with a higher level of positioning accuracy, thanks to new multi-band frequency and GNSS network support (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo).
With all epix 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—along with Training Status, advanced performance metrics, and 30+ built-in sports apps.
Plus, in all Garmin fēnix 7 outdoor fitness watches, trusted button controls work in any environment AND are matched with a highly responsive touchscreen interface for quick, convenient access to selections.
The epix (Gen 2) adds a vibrant AMOLED display to the touchscreen (like the Venu, Venu 2 and new Venu 2 Plus with smartphone function controls). Read more about the its AMOLED display on our Garmin epix page.
The best Garmin health-monitoring features in the epix and fēnix 7 series remain pretty much the same as all high-end Garmin multisport smartwatches. 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).
All advanced multisport GPS smartwatches in the Garmin epix and fēnix 7 lineups offer smart notifications when connected to a compatible smartphone and Garmin Pay contactless payment.
Enjoy your must-have training tunes on any of the fēnix 7 watches—fēnix 7/7S/7X standard, Solar, Sapphire Solar—and epix (Standard) and Sapphire editions, making them some of the best multisport and running watches with music on the market.
While the epix premium multisport GPS watches get superior battery life compared to other fitness smartwatches on the market, the do not offer quite the power of the Garmin fēnix 7.
The fēnix 7/7S/7X battery life is considerably improved over the fēnix 6/6S/6X lineup. Plus it adds some super impressive solar-charging technology—check it out!
Smartwatch: Up to 16 days/6 days always-on
Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 21 days
GPS Only: Up to 42 hrs/30 hrs always-on
All Satellite Systems: Up to 32 hrs/24 hrs always-on
All Satellite Systems + Multi-band: Up to 20 hrs/15 hrs always-on
All Satellite Systems + Music: Up to 10 hrs/9 hrs always-on
Max Battery GPS: Up to 75hrs
Expedition GPS: Up to 14 day
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
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
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
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
epix (Standard): Slate Band with Steel Bezel
epix Sapphire: Black Band with Titanium Bezel, White Band with Titanium Bezel
fēnix 7S (Standard) — $699.99
fēnix 7S Solar — $799.99
fēnix 7S Sapphire Solar — $899.99
fēnix 7 (Standard) — $699.99
fēnix 7 Solar — $799.99
fēnix 7 Solar Sapphire — $899.99
fēnix 7X Solar — $899.99
fēnix 7X Sapphire Solar — $999.99
epix (Standard) — $899.99
epix Sapphire — $999.99
