Garmin announced today updated versions of its high-end sports smartwatches. Targeting slightly different market segments, both the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro and Garmin Epix Pro upgrade existing models with support for more than 80 sports and activities, and better navigation features, while keeping multiweek battery life of up to 37 days in the Fenix 7 Pro.
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro simplifies the product line
Geared towards adventure buffs, the Fenix 7 Pro (or fēnix 7 Pro) simplifies the cornucopia of different variants on the regular model. Features like the LED flashlight and solar charging are available in all three case sizes—42, 47, and 51 mm—making the purchase decision easier.
The Fenix 7 Pro brings an enhanced heart rate sensor, coupled with improved support for different activities to better track the body’s performance. One new feature is the “Hill Score”, which tracks ascents with VO2 monitoring. The smartwatch also offers new navigation features, like POI display—e.g. aid stations—and weather overlays.
Still using the low-power MIP display on the Fenix 7 Pro, Garmin promises better indoor readability without sacrificing performance under sunlight. One specification which didn’t change is the theoretical 37 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, which can reach up to 139 days in expedition mode for the bigger model.
Garmin Epix Pro brings new sizes
Sometimes seen as the Fenix-7-with-OLED, the new Epix Pro series solves one of the downsides of the Epix 2 smartwatch NextPit gave a 4.5/5 score last year: The single 47 mm size. The Garmin Epix Pro is available in 42, 47, and 51 mm sizes, similar to the Fenix 7 range, while keeping the bright AMOLED display.
New for the display is the Red Shift mode, which should be more comfortable to see in the dark. Also for dark environments, and inherited from the Fenix line, is the built-in LED flashlight. The Garmin Epix Pro also offers the enhanced health monitoring and navigation features found in the Fenix 7 Pro.
Regarding battery life, Garmin lists up to 31 days of battery life for the 51 mm model under smartwatch mode. For more details check the table below.
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro & Epix Pro: Price and release date
| Garmin’s 2023 high-end multisport smart watches | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product | ||||||
| Picture |  |  | ||||
| Case size | 42 mm | 47 mm | 51 mm | 42 mm | 47 mm | 51 mm |
| Strap size | 20 mm | 22 mm | 26 mm | 20 mm | 22 mm | 26 mm |
| Display technology | MIP | AMOLED | ||||
| Display glass | Power Glass Power Sapphire | Gorilla Glass Sapphire Crystal | ||||
| Display size | 1.2” | 1.3” | 1.4” | 1.2” | 1.3” | 1.4” |
| Resolution | 240 x 240 pixels | 260 x 260 pixels | 280 x 280 pixels | 390 x 390 pixels | 416 x 416 pixels | 454 x 454 pixels |
| Touchscreen | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Storage | 32 GB | |||||
| Weight | 63 g | 79 g | 96 g | 63 g | 78 g | 98 g |
| Battery life (smartwatch) | 14 days | 22 days | 37 days | 10 days | 16 days | 31 days |
| Battery life (GPS) | 46 hours | 73 hours | 122 hours | 28 hours | 42 hours | 82 hours |
| Waterproof | 10 ATM | |||||
| Special features | LED flashlight | |||||
| Solar function | ✔️ | ❌ | ||||
| Variants | Standard Solar Sapphire Solar | Standard Sapphire | ||||
| Price – Standard Sapphire edition | $799.99 $899.99 | $899.99 $999.99 | $999.99 $1,099.99 | |||
Both the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro and the Epix Pro are already available on the Garmin online storefront as well as on Amazon and other retailers in a variety of colors and the optional Sapphire Crystal.
What do you think of the new Garmin high-end line-up? Do you appreciate the fact that the brand is offering even more models in both product lines, or are you starting to get lost in the middle of so many options?
