Garmin Fenix 7 – Find all information, features and specs

Garmin’s Fenix 7 has been one of the highest anticipated premium GPS outdoor sports watches in 2021. Given its predecessors’ release dates, many expected the watch to become alive last year. Garmin has kept its customers waiting until today.

I first published this article on December 7 and since then there has been a lot of discussion, leaks and rumors. Today Garmin has launched the Fenix 7 – a series of 22 different sports watches.

Specs at a glance

Like its predecessor the Fenix 7 is available in three different sizes: Fenix 7S, 7 and 7X. Here are some basic specs:

The amount of storage depends on the model. Only the Sapphire Solar models feature 32 GB while the non-solar and basic solar models offer 16 GB only. The storage can be used for supplementary maps and music.

Common properties

• 316L SS and MIL-STD-810

  All models are certified according to the military standard MIL-STD-810 and are therefore particularly robust. The Fenix 7 will withstand water pressure up to 10 ATM. Where necessary, Garmin uses 316L SS, a stainless steel alloy that is robust and corrosion-resistant.

• Extended solar area

  Weeks ago I already pointed out the extended solar area. Its clearly visible on the press renders. The are is ~50% bigger than the Fenix 6’s.

• Housing made of fiber reinforced polymer

Solar and non-solar models

Garmin’s Power Glass technology has been introduced alongside the fēnix 6X Pro Solar in 2019. What could be considered as an experiment has been proven successful, so that Garmin implemented the technology on smaller Fenix 6 watches and the Instinct Solar.

With the Fenix 7 solar becomes the new standard and all models will be available as solar and non-solar models. Garmin has enhanced the technology and now uses the term “Power Sapphire” as the solar panel is protected by sapphire glas.

Let’s take a look at how the solar panel enhances battery life.

Battery Life

The values added refer to the extended battery life that results from using Power Sapphire. To be honest, these values are outstanding. I was expecting way less than that.

Keep in mind: The maximum values are probably determined under laboratory conditions. In regular use, the gain should be less. But without a doubt, the battery life once again is great and a unique selling proposition to the Fenix series.

Garmin Fenix 7 – Lots of models to choose from

Similar to its predecessor, the Fenix 7 will be available in different sizes and making use of different materials. Garmin doesn’t differentiate between standard and pro models anymore. As there are still solar and non-solar models, potential customers may choose from a bunch of different product variants.

Here are some images comparing Fenix 7S, 7 and 7X – keep in mind that their scales’ relation doesn’t match reality.

Garmin Fenix 7 – Comparison of Fenix 7S, 7 and 7X

Garmin Fenix 7S

The smallest model is the Fenix 7S, which offers a 1.2″ transflective MIP display with 240 x 240 pixels resolution. Compared to the Fenix 6S’s display there are no changes. The AMOLED display that has been rumored here and there is reserved for the Venu 2, Venu 2 Plus and Epix Gen 2.

Garmin Fenix 7S Sapphire Solar

The prices are having a pretty similar price structure compared to the Fenix 6. You’ll start with $699.99 for the most basic models and can invest up to $1,000+ if you have the money.

Here are some of the Fenix 7S’ color variants:

One interesting detail: the button on the upper right is clearly different from the button on the larger Fenix 7. It looks to me like a digital crown, or perhaps a retractable one. In the end there was no hidden function behind it – just a design detail.

Garmin Fenix 7

Offering a 1.3″ display, the Fenix 7 is the mid-sized model. The display’s resolution is 260 x 260 pixels, leading to a pixel density of 200 PPI, which is similar to both the Fenix 7S and 7X.

Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar

These are the Fenix 7’s color variants:

Garmin Fenix 7X

The largest model with a 1.4″ display once again is the Fenix 7X. Although the 7X is having a superior resolution of 280 x 280 pixels due to the larger display, the pixel density remains at 200 PPI. As all models offer the same PPI, they somehow have the same display quality.

Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar

Some information may still be missing. Be assured that I will add them as soon as possible.

Garmin Fenix 7 – Features

Here you will find the major features of the Fenix 7:

• Added touch display for ease of use

  To further ease the way to use interact with the watch, the Fenix 7 sports a touch display. The touch display will be benefitial in common, every day use scenarios while the Garmin’s classical five buttons will be superior when doing sports and you have sweaty fingers or rain is pouring from above.

• Enhanced Garmin Elevate V4 sensor

  A new version of Garmin’s sensor technology Elevate has been introduced with the Venu 2 and the Fenix 7 features the Elevate V4 sensor as well.

  The new sensor offers enhancements when it comes to measuring the SpO2 value. It’s not only faster but less energy consuming, allowing for collecting the SpO2 data all day long. Considering my Forerunner 245, the readings are taken only during the night and a manually triggered measure take quite some time, often enough being abandoned due to unreliable readings.

• Multi-LED flashlight (7X only)

  The Fenix 7X has an integrated LED light, which should not only act as a small flashlight in the dark, but also increase safety during sports in the dark due to special functions.

  The LED is located at the upper edge of the casing and unfortunately cannot be seen in the product photos. Depending on the use, you can choose between white and red light. The white light can be regulated in four brightness levels. The red LED shines in only one brightness.

  Interesting for runners is the mode that changes color every time the arm is swung. This is to ensure safety when running in the dark.

• Up Ahead

  The “Up Ahead” feature informs you about points of interest (POI) that you are approaching when being on a planned course. The POIs are nothing less than route points that have been added to routes via Garmin Connect. These include restaurants, water, first aid stations, danger spots, peaks, and valleys.

  If you switch from Garmin Connect Web to the app version, you’ll find significantly more types of track points – all featuring their own icon.

• Real-time stamina

  Real-time stamina is a new metric available to running and cycling and will make it easier to understand how much stamina is left, so that you avoid straining yourself too much at early stages of runs or rides.

• Synchronization of settings

  All settings can be adjusted using the smartphone or the watch. Today this isn’t the case for some settings but will be with the Fenix 7. Settings will be synchronized between the watch and a paired phone.

• Visual race predictor

  Based on your running history and fitness level, this feature provides an estimate of your pace on a planned running distance. Trend data shows how you’ll benefit from training the long term.

• Multi-GNSS support

  The Fenix 7 offers different modes for using GNSS (global navigation satellite system). Since Airoha’s AG3335M chipset is used in all models, the watch supports GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou, NavIC and QZSS.

  If the GPS mode is activated, only US positioning system is used for tracking. In addition it’s possible to enable all GNSS for use. Based on the signal quality the Fenix 7 then decides for itself which positioning signal to use.

  Way more interesting is the use of multiband capabilities (aka L1/L5), which are available on Sapphire Solar / Titan models only. When activated, the chipset uses L5 frequencies in addition to the standard L1 frequencies. By doing so, the position tracking is supposed to significantly enhance. At the same time, the multi-band feature puts a heavy load on the battery.

• HIIT exercises

Differences between models without solar, solar and Sapphire Solar

The different model names indicate that the main difference is the use of solar technology and the material used for the lens. But don’t be fooled, there are some other important differences:

The lack of pre-installed TopoActive maps in non-solar and (basic) solar models is neglectable because you can download the map via Map Manager on your own. Having less storage capacity may be of interest to some but in the end it’s no big deal either. The fact that the multi-GNSS capabilities is available on Sapphire Solar models only should be considered much more serious.

Additional features

• Build-in GPS
• PacePro – Pacing strategy
• SpO2 monitoring
• VO2max
• Respiratory monitoring
• Stress monitoring
• Sleep monitoring
• Hydration monitoring
• Golf course maps
• Ski resort maps
• XC ski dynamics
• Backcountry ski
• Surfline Sessions support
• MTB dynamics
• Garmin Pay
• Music storage / Playback via Bluetooth

In case you are missing some features, expect the Fenix 7 to have all the feature the Fenix 6 sports.

Features that didn’t make it to the Fenix 7

As always, some features are rumored pretty intensively but never make it to the products. This accounts for the Fenix 7 as well. Below you can find the features that many people thought the Fenix 7 will offer but didn’t make it:

• Support for LTE

  The support for LTE has been introduced alongside the Forerunner 945 LTE. Remember that though the Forerunner 945 LTE has LTE support you cannot use the technology to make or answer phone calls. LTE is being used for Live Tracking and incidents only.

  Even with these limitations LTE support would suit the Fenix 7 well, because as the new premium flagship the watch is expected to have all features being introdruced since the latest Fenix 6 release.

  For the sake of battery life, the Fenix 7 won’t support LTE but I won’t rule out that we will see a Fenix 7 LTE next year.

• AMOLED display

  Considering the Venu 2, Garmin demonstrated that an AMOLED display with propery brightness and a good battery life are not mutually exclusive. But this doesn’t automatically lead to a Fenix 7 with an AMOLED display.

  It certainly will excite a lot of people that find the Fenix 6’s transflective MIP display too dark and too low in contrast.

  Despite all the advantages, there are two major drawbacks: First, a transflective displays still outbeats every AMOLED displays when used outdoors, especially in direct sunlight. Second, AMOLED displays consume way more energy. As the great battery life and the outdoor use are unique selling proposition, Garmin sticks to the transflective MIP display.

• ECG sensors

  Very few online retailers have published a product description for the Fenix 7 listing ECG capability. This is kind of a surprise because no information about an ECG sensor has been popped up before. Even though the competition has already implemented ECG sensors for some time, the Fenix 7 having an ECG sensor would be big news. Since Garmin has undertaken a clinical study to verify its ECG-related algorithms, this feature is not pulled out of thin air.

  For the time being, the Fenix 7 does not feature ECG readings. Maybe it has been some translation error.

Garmin Fenix 7 – Worth buying?

The Fenix 7 has been launched today. I hope I have given you have a pretty detailed description of the different models here. As you can see, the Fenix 7 offers some pretty cool features and an awesome battery life. In case that is of no interest to you, the Fenix 6 still is one of the best outdoor sports watches around and way less expensive as it is on sale.

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