Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar: My Honest Opinion After a Month of Use
Have you ever felt like your smartwatch is just another gadget that needs constant attention? Like a pet that constantly asks for a charge. That’s exactly how I felt. That’s why I was intrigued by the Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar watch. It promised not only notifications but also durability. Did it live up to those expectations? Here are my impressions after using it as a daily companion for a few months.
First Impressions
Right out of the box, the fēnix 7X Pro feels massive. It’s big, no doubt about it, but it doesn’t feel bulky. The titanium bezel and fiber-reinforced polymer case feels solid and premium. It’s as if G-Shock had the baby of high-end smartwatches. The two-tone silicone strap looks good and is comfortable to wear. The sapphire crystal and the solar panel function are interesting. The always-on MIP display was also new to me and I wondered how it would perform in different conditions. The overall design is “adventure ready” and fits my lifestyle perfectly.
Deep Dive into Features
This watch is packed with a lot of features. Let’s start with battery life. Garmin claims over a month of solar battery life, and I have to say it’s very close to that. I haven’t had to plug them in for weeks. Solar charging really does last a long time, and the MIP display is great. It uses diffused light, so image clarity is maintained even in bright sun; it may not be as bright as AMOLED, but the always-on feature is a big plus. There’s a touchscreen as well, but I prefer to use the buttons. It’s more tactile and reliable, especially when playing sports or working with gloves on.
The built-in flashlight is incredibly useful. I use it for finding keys, walking the dog at night, and general tasks. The multi-band GPS connects to multiple satellite systems and provides accurate location data.
- We used this watch for hiking, swimming, weightlifting and everyday life.
- On hikes, the detailed maps and waypoint feature were excellent and allowed me to see the distance to the next point.
- The endurance tracking feature gives a decent idea of energy levels during a workout.
- The heart rate sensor shows accurate results most of the time.
- The smart notifications are useful and allow me to check notifications without taking out my phone.
- The sleep tracking gives a good idea of sleep quality.
- I’ve used the flashlight to unlock doors late at night and it’s a pretty cool little tool.
- The ability to save music is also nice.
- The user interface is a little clunky, but the ability to change settings on the phone is very useful.
Flaws and Limitations
No product is perfect, and the fēnix 7X Pro has some flaws. The touchscreen is sometimes slow and relies more on buttons. The user interface is functional but not always intuitive. It feels like it could have been better organized. The watch is large and some may find it bulky for everyday use. It also doesn’t have a smartphone connectivity option like other high-end smartwatches. The watch doesn’t accurately track weightlifting sessions. The calorie tracking seems a bit wrong during resistance training. The price is also a bit high, which may make them out of reach for some.
Comparisons
Compared to my previous Apple Watch, the fēnix 7X Pro wins in battery life and durability. Apple Watch relied too much on daily recharging. Compared to Whoop, fēnix is very good at tracking real-time metrics and it’s easy to update. The watch is better and doesn’t require a cell phone or wifi to update data. There are several other less expensive watches out there, but they can’t compare to the feature set and rugged construction of fēnix. The AMOLED screen in the Garmin epics watch is very nice, but the battery life isn’t great. The watch is meant to be used outdoors and not necessarily on the couch.
Final Thoughts
The Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar is a feature-rich premium smartwatch with excellent battery life, outdoor tracking, and overall durability. It’s not a perfect device, but it’s ideal for those who appreciate all of these things. They are ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, athletes, and those who value long battery life. If you need a smartwatch that will fit your demanding lifestyle, this could be just what you need. If you’re looking for something cheaper, you can check out the Garmin Instinct series, which offers the same features as the fēnix. So is it worth the money? It’s up to you to decide, but for me, it’s a great companion for my daily adventures. If you’re looking for a premium smartwatch with long battery life, I highly recommend taking a closer look.
