## Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar vs CMF Watch Pro: Detailed Comparison
Choosing between the Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and CMF Watch Pro is like comparing a luxury SUV to a reliable compact car. Both devices serve their purpose, but their target needs and budgets are very different. To help you decide which one is right for you, let’s take a look at a detailed comparison.
Design and Build Quality
The Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is built like a tank. The titanium bezel and sapphire crystal look premium and are virtually unbreakable. Some will find it massive and confidence inspiring, while others will find it bulky. The buttons are tactile and responsive, and the addition of a touchscreen is a welcome upgrade. The solar charging ring around the bezel is a functional feature, but some may be visually distracted.
On the other hand, the CMF Watch Pro case is made of aluminum alloy, giving it a more premium look than most budget smartwatches. The design is sleek and modern, and it comes with a comfortable silicone strap. The watch is lightweight, fits comfortably on the wrist and can be worn all day without fatigue. However, the bezel is thick and uneven, and the buttons seem a bit small, suggesting a cost-cutting.
Display
The Garmin Fenix 7X features a clear, translucent memory-in-pixels (MIP) display that’s easy to read even in bright sunlight. The touchscreen is responsive and makes it easy to navigate menus and maps. However, touchscreens can accidentally activate underwater or while exercising and sometimes have to be turned off.
The CMF Watch Pro features a bright and crisp AMOLED display that is easy to see outdoors. Colors are vibrant and text is clear. However, there is no automatic brightness adjustment, so you have to adjust the brightness manually when moving from one room to another. This is a bit inconvenient.
Features and Functionality
The Garmin Fenix 7X is packed with plenty of features for serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. Very long battery life, especially when using solar charging, which allows for longer charging intervals; built-in flashlight with multiple modes, including SOS, for added safety and convenience. Multi-band GPS provides highly accurate tracking in a variety of conditions. The watch also features extensive mapping functionality with pre-loaded topo maps, making it the perfect hiking and travel companion, and real-time synchronization of settings via the Garmin Connect app simplifies setup.
The CMF Watch Pro model, on the other hand, offers basic smartwatch features. It has a built-in microphone and speaker and allows you to make phone calls directly from the watch. The watch tracks steps, heart rate, calories and sleep. They also have a music control app and the ability to remotely control the camera shutter. However, the fitness tracking functionality is basic and the accuracy is questionable, especially in terms of heart rate during different activities. Connectivity with notifications is limited and the ecosystem is closed and does not provide for data export.
Battery Life
The Garmin Fenix 7X watch has excellent battery life. With solar charging, it will easily last a week or more with regular workouts and daily wear. Solar charging is especially noticeable when the watch is in the sun for long periods of time. This is a great advantage for those who don’t want to worry about charging the watch daily.
The CMF Watch Pro also has a good battery life that lasts for several days of general use. They don’t have solar charging, but they do outperform some high-end smartwatches in terms of battery life. That’s a great feature for an affordable device.
User Experience
The Garmin Fenix 7X offers a rich user experience with many features and customization options. However, the interface can sometimes be overly complicated and some features, such as endurance tracking, may not be useful to all users. The touchscreen is handy for map navigation, but buttons are still preferable during a workout.
The CMF Watch Pro offers a simple and fast user interface. The watch face is versatile and well designed. However, the lack of automatic brightness adjustment and limited interaction with notifications are annoying. In addition, the connection to the smartphone is unstable, requiring frequent connection checks and sometimes manual reconnection.
Pros and Cons
Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar
- Pluses:
- Extremely long battery life, especially when using solar charging.
- Built-in flashlight with multiple modes including SOS.
- Multi-band GPS for highly accurate tracking.
- Extensive mapping capabilities with preloaded topo maps.
- Touchscreen interface for enhanced navigation.
- Cons:
- High price, requiring significant investment.
- Multi-band GPS can significantly reduce battery life.
- Touch screen can be accidentally activated in water.
- The large size of 51mm may seem bulky to some users.
CMF Watch Pro
- Disadvantages:
- Premium design with aluminum alloy body.
- Bright and clear AMOLED display.
- Built-in microphone and speaker for calls.
- Good battery life.
- Variety of stylish watch faces.
- Cons:
- Instant connectivity to smartphone.
- Limited interaction with notifications.
- Lack of automatic brightness adjustment.
- Questionable accuracy in basic fitness tracking.
CONCLUSION
The Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is a high-end, feature-rich smartwatch designed for serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. They have excellent battery life, GPS accuracy, and mapping capabilities. However, the price tag on them is quite high.
On the other hand, the CMF Watch Pro is a budget-friendly option that offers basic smartwatch features in a stylish design. It is a good option for those who want to have a smartwatch without spending a lot of money. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your needs, priorities and budget.