## Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 vs Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar: Detailed Comparison
Choosing between the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 and the Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar is like choosing between two superheroes. You may feel like you’re choosing between one or the other. Both are top-notch smartwatches with tons of features, but their needs and preferences are slightly different. Here’s a detailed comparison to see which one is right for you.
Design and Build Quality
Both watches are made with premium materials such as titanium bezels and sapphire crystal to ensure durability and luxury. The Epix Pro Generation 2 with its bright AMOLED display looks more modern and attractive. The fēnix 7X Pro, on the other hand, features a rugged design and a transparent memory-in-pixels (MIP) display optimized for outdoor visibility and battery savings. The fēnix 7X Pro also features a solar charging lens, something not found on the Epix Pro Gen 2.
The Epix Pro Gen 2 is a bit more refined, while the fēnix 7X Pro is more rugged and adventure-oriented. The Epix Pro Gen 2 is available in several sizes, while the fēnix 7X Pro is only available in larger sizes.
Display
The display is where these two watches differ significantly. The Epix Pro Gen 2 features a stunning AMOLED display that is bright, vibrant, and easy to read even in direct sunlight. It’s a pleasure to look at, and the maps and stats come to life on it. The trade-off, however, is a shorter battery life.
The fēnix 7X Pro uses a MIP display, which isn’t as flashy but offers better outdoor visibility and much more efficient battery life. This makes it ideal for long outdoor forays where battery life is paramount: while the Epix Pro Gen 2’s AMOLED screen is certainly eye-catching, the fēnix 7X Pro’s MIP display is more practical for extended use.
Battery Life
Battery life is a major differentiating factor. The fēnix 7X Pro with solar charging can last several weeks on a single charge, especially with moderate use and exposure to sunlight. This is a great advantage for those who often go on long hikes or multi-day trips.
The Epix Pro Gen 2 has an impressive battery life for an AMOLED display: typically 5-6 days with the display on all the time and several hours of GPS per day; the 51mm version has 11 days; the Epix Pro Gen 2 has fast charging capability. supports fast charging, but the fēnix 7X Pro’s solar charging is a breakthrough in battery life. If battery life is paramount to you, the fēnix 7X Pro is a sure winner.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Both watches provide comprehensive health and fitness tracking, including heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking and a wide range of sport modes. Both devices feature advanced GPS with multi-band support for accurate location information. The Epix Pro Gen 2 features the new Elevate Gen 5 high-precision heart rate sensor.
Both models also feature offline maps, music storage and a built-in flashlight. The fēnix 7X Pro flashlight has an SOS mode, which is important for safety. Epix Pro Gen 2 has a more customizable interface, Indicators and data fields can be customized according to the user’s preferences. Both watches have new metrics such as endurance and elevation score, although these are still being finalized. The step counter in the Epix Pro Generation 2 may overestimate the number of steps due to hand gestures.
User Interface and Smart Features
The Epix Pro Generation 2 has a more modern and intuitive interface, but it can still be challenging for new users. The fēnix 7X Pro’s interface is functional, but navigating through the menus is not always easy. It is not always simple and can feel clunky and unintuitive. The watch lacks some features found on other smartwatches, such as a voice assistant and the ability to reply to messages using the keypad
The Epix Pro Gen 2 does not have a speaker for calls, which is a drawback for some users The fēnix 7X Pro touchscreen The touchscreen can be slow and unresponsive compared to other smartwatches.
Price
The Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 and fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar cost $749.99 and are premium options. The high price may be a barrier for some users, but for serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, the features and quality justify the cost. The Epix Pro Gen 2 Sapphire Edition can be even more expensive, so it’s important to consider your budget when making your decision.
Pros and Cons of Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2
- Pros:
- Bright AMOLED display: Excellent clarity and outdoor visibility.
- Comprehensive tracking: A wide range of sports and activities.
- Customizable metrics: Personalized data.
- Accurate GPS: Advanced navigation with topographic maps.
- Especially when you consider the AMOLED display.
- Cons:
- High price: Especially for the Sapphire version.
- Complex interface: Fast learning curve for new users.
- No voice assistant or speaker.
- Step counter sometimes over-counts: Due to hand gestures.
- No solar charging: Unlike other Garmin models.
Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar
- Benefits:
- Excellent battery life: Solar charging extends use up to one month.
- Rugged and durable design: with titanium bezel and sapphire crystal glass.
- Advanced multi-band GPS: For highly accurate location tracking.
- Built-in flashlight: with adjustable brightness and SOS mode.
- Self-contained map and music storage: For phone-free activities.
- Disadvantages:
- High price: Unaffordable for many users.
- Slow touch screen response.
- Unintuitive menus and hidden options.
- Limited smart features compared to Apple Watch, such as no keyboard for text responses.
- Weightlifting tracking is basic.
Final Thoughts
The Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 and fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar are great smartwatches, but they meet different needs. If a bright display is important to you and it doesn’t matter how often you need to charge your watch, the Epix Pro Gen 2 is a great choice. If, on the other hand, you want great battery life and a rugged design for long outdoor hikes, the fēnix 7X Pro is a better choice. Consider your priorities and how you’ll use the watch, and make the best choice for your needs.