## Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar vs Apple Watch Series 8: An In-Depth Comparison
Choosing between the Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar and Apple Watch Series 8 can seem akin to choosing between a rugged SUV and a sleek city car. Both are excellent in their own right, but meet different needs and lifestyles. Let’s compare them in detail to help you make the right choice.
Garmin fēnix 7X Pro vs Apple Watch Series 8: Design and Build
The Garmin fēnix 7X Pro is built like a tank. It has a titanium bezel, sapphire crystal, and a fiber-reinforced polymer case. It’s built to withstand the most extreme conditions. The large, bold design is felt on the wrist. The two-tone silicone strap is comfortable, but the overall aesthetic is definitely meant for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes. The always-on MIP display may not be as bright as the AMOLED screen, but it provides excellent visibility in bright sunlight.
The Apple Watch Series 8, meanwhile, has a sleek design. They have a minimalist style, with clean lines and a premium feel. The aluminum case is lightweight and comfortable for daily wear. The always-on display is bright and vibrant, easy to read in any light. However, the aluminum screen is prone to scratches, so a protective film is recommended.
Battery Life
Battery life is where the Garmin fēnix 7X Pro really shines. It boasts excellent battery life and can run for up to a month on a solar panel. Even with regular workouts and GPS tracking, it will last 4-8 days on a single charge. If you use the watch simply as a smartwatch without tracking, it will last for 20 days. This is a breakthrough for long cross-country hikes where there is no access to electricity.
However, the Apple Watch Series 8 needs to be charged daily. Under normal use, the battery life will be about one day. While fast charging is a convenient feature, it doesn’t make up for the fact that the watch needs to be plugged in every evening. This can be a bit of an inconvenience if you’re used to long battery life.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Both watch models offer comprehensive health and fitness tracking, but with different approaches: the Garmin fēnix 7X Pro provides detailed metrics and information, including VO2 max, heart rate variability, and sleep tracking. It’s ideal for tracking a variety of workouts, including hiking, swimming, and running. However, weightlifting tracking is basic and does not provide detailed calculation of calories burned. The watch also has a built-in flashlight with adjustable brightness and SOS mode, which is very useful for outdoor activities.
The Apple Watch Series 8 also offers advanced fitness tracking with customizable workout and heart rate zones. They also have all sorts of health monitoring features, including heart rate, blood oxygen level and temperature sensors. The temperature sensor is especially useful for tracking menstrual cycles and predicting ovulation. There are also features such as fall and traffic detection that can save lives in emergencies. Seamless iPhone integration is a big plus for Apple users.
User Interface and Smart Features
The Garmin fēnix 7X Pro has an awkward user interface, with unintuitive menus and hidden options. It takes some time to get used to the menu system, and new features can be frustrating to discover even after months of use. The touchscreen can be slow and unresponsive compared to other smartwatches. It also has limited smart features compared to the Apple Watch, such as the lack of a keyboard for text responses.
The Apple Watch Series 8 has a smooth and intuitive user interface. It’s easy to navigate and access a range of features; seamless integration with iPhone makes it easy to receive notifications, make calls and use Apple Pay. However, the digital crown occasionally fails, causing the volume to change unintentionally.
Pros and Cons of Each Watch
Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar
- Benefits:
- Excellent battery life with solar charging.
- Rugged and durable design with titanium bezel and sapphire crystal.
- Advanced multi-band GPS for highly accurate location tracking.
- Comprehensive health and fitness tracking with detailed metrics.
- Built-in flashlight with adjustable brightness and SOS mode.
- Offline maps and music storage for phone-free activities.
- Cons:
- High price puts it out of reach for many users.
- Slow touch screen response.
- The user interface is clunky and unintuitive.
- Compared to Apple Watch, the smart features are limited.
- Tracking weightlifting is basic.
Apple Watch Series 8
- Benefits:
- Fast charging for quick power on.
- Easy access to information with Always on Display.
- Advanced fitness tracking and customizable workouts.
- Comprehensive health monitoring including temperature measurement.
- Seamless integration with iPhone for notifications and Apple Pay.
- Durable, unbreakable and waterproof design.
- Cons:
- Battery life is limited to about one day and requires daily charging.
- Aluminum screen scratches easily.
- Temperature sensor data may not be available or useful for all users.
- The digital crown may malfunction.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar is a strong product for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes who require long battery life and a rugged design. It is packed with features to track various activities and provides detailed metrics. However, it is expensive and lacks an intuitive user interface.
On the other hand, the Apple Watch Series 8 is a sophisticated smartwatch that offers the convenience of everyday use and seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem. They offer advanced health monitoring and a user-friendly interface. However, battery life is limited and requires daily recharging.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and priorities.