Garmin Fenix 7 Review: The Ultimate Adventure Watch
Garmin Fenix 7 is a durable, multi-sport GPS watch with advanced training tools, long battery life, and great navigation features.
Garmin Fenix 7 is designed for athletes who want to push their limits, whether it’s in cycling, running, or CrossFit. It helps you track your fitness, set realistic goals and train effectively.
It keeps the same advanced tracking tools from the Fenix 6 but adds a few new features to make it more user-friendly. One of the biggest upgrades is the touchscreen which makes it easier to navigate maps. You can also lock the screen during workouts to avoid accidental presses or turn it off if you prefer.
Display is not as sharp as AMOLED screens but is easy to read in most lighting conditions. Fenix 7 is designed to be power-efficient offering long battery life even without solar charging.
Fenix 7 includes features such as a stamina meter that displays your energy levels during a workout and a race predictor that estimates your race time depending on your training.
If you already have a Fenix 6, you don’t need to upgrade right away. But the Fenix 7 offers useful new features that could enhance your training.
Table of Contents
Garmin Fenix 7 Specification
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 🖥️ Operating System | Android |
| 💾 Memory Storage Capacity | 16 GB |
| 🌟 Special Features | – 🏋️ Built-in sports apps – 🎿 Backcountry skiing – ❄️ XC ski dynamics – 🏄 Surf-ready features – 🚵 MTB dynamics – 🔥 HIIT workouts – 📅 Daily workout suggestions – 🏁 Visual race predictor – 🕒 PacePro™ technology – ⛰️ ClimbPro feature – 📈 Performance metrics – 🔋 Real-time stamina tracking – 🕑 Recovery time advisor |
| 📡 Connectivity Technology | GPS |
| 📶 Wireless Communication | Bluetooth |
| 🔋 Battery Cell Composition | Lithium Polymer |
| 🗺️ GPS | Enabled |
| 🔵 Shape | Round |
| 📏 Screen Size | 1.3 Inches |
| 🏷️ Brand | Garmin |
Garmin Fenix 7 Price and availability
Garmin Fenix 7 series is now available for purchase, starting at $699.99 / £599.99 / AU$1,049 for the standard version. Top model, Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar, costs $999.99 / £859.99 / AU$1,499.
This is a price increase compared to the Fenix 6 which started at $599.99 / £529.99 / AU$949. However, it’s cheaper than Garmin Epix, which starts at $899.99 / £799.99 / AU$1,399. Be sure to check for any available Garmin promo codes to save.
Garmin Fenix 7 Design
Garmin Fenix 7 has a touchscreen and physical buttons, with no increase in weight compared to previous models. It’s made from premium materials and is available in three sizes: 42mm, 47mm and 51mm, with standard, Solar and Sapphire Solar versions.
Model we tested is the 47mm Sapphire Solar edition, which combines Power Glass for solar charging and a tough crystal. It has a titanium case and a silicone strap, but you can also choose leather or woven straps. The watch weighs 73g with the silicone strap and 50g without, which is similar to the Fenix 6.
Fenix 7 features five buttons and a touchscreen that locks during activity tracking to prevent accidental presses. You can choose to turn off the touchscreen if you prefer using only the buttons. The screen is not as bright as AMOLED screens, but it’s easy to read in most lighting conditions and helps conserve battery.
It charges via a unique USB cord and is water-resistant up to 100 metres, making it appropriate for swimming and water sports but not diving.
Garmin Fenix 7 Battery life
Garmin Fenix 7 has impressive battery life, with the largest model lasting up to five weeks. Solar and Sapphire Solar versions help extend battery life by harvesting energy throughout the day, but you’ll still need to charge it occasionally.
The Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar model has these battery life estimates:
- Smartwatch mode: Up to 22 days
- Battery saver mode: Up to 173 days
- GPS mode with all satellite systems: Up to 48 hours
- GPS with all satellite systems and music: Up to 10 hours
- Max battery GPS mode: Up to 289 hours
- Expedition GPS mode: Up to 74 days
In real-world use, we found it lasted around three weeks with regular workouts and other features enabled. The non-solar Fenix 7S model, despite having the smallest battery, kept 56% of its charge after a week of use, exceeding the expected 11 days.
Fenix 7 also lets you check battery percentage, unlike Fenix 6 which only showed days left. You can adjust battery settings easily through watch or Garmin Connect app.
Garmin Fenix 7 Smartwatch Features
Excellent GPS Navigation & Music Storage
Garmin Fenix 7 has key sensors including a heart rate monitor, altimeter, compass, SpO2 sensor and temperature sensor. Watch offers continuous or on-demand SpO2 monitoring and it also features a new firmware update that alerts if you move too much during a reading.
GPS and mapping tools are impressive, recording routes with high accuracy and providing navigation, including points of interest like cafes & stores. Fenix 7 Sapphire models come with preinstalled maps and others can download them directly through watch. It’s perfect for everyday use and sports, with course creation features for customized routes.
It also has music storage, allowing you to listen to songs, podcasts and audiobooks. Garmin Pay lets you make contactless payments, although it’s limited in the UK. However, it lacks a microphone for hands-free calls which could be added in future models.
Garmin Fenix 7 Fitness Tracking
One of the Most Accurate GPS Watches
Fenix 7 helps balance work and recovery with features like real-time stamina tracking to manage energy during workouts. It’s especially useful for high-intensity interval training with heart rate monitoring and real-time performance feedback.
You can also predict race times based on your current fitness level and track training loads. Watch includes special cycling tools and can automatically detect climbs with ClimbPro feature. Its GPS tracking is perfect for pacing especially in cycling and running.
Garmin Fenix 7 Garmin Connect App
Great Companion for Data Management
Garmin Connect app syncs fast with Fenix 7, giving detailed info on workouts, sleep and recovery. It includes a gear tracker and personalized training plans, all for free.
You can download third-party apps, new watch faces and more through Garmin Connect IQ, including apps for popular services like Komoot for runners and cyclists.
Garmin Fenix 7 New Updates
Since its launch, Fenix 7 has received improvements, including SatIQ, which allows for smarter GPS usage that conserves battery life without sacrificing performance. It also added capabilities like heart rate variability tracking and Race Day widget, increasing its usefulness as a multisport watch.
Pros and Cons of Garmin Fenix 7
| ✅Pros | ❌Cons |
|---|---|
| 👍 Easy training tools | ⚠️ Dim display |
| 🗺️ Great navigation | 📵 No mic for calls |
| 💪 Durable design | ❓ Too many models |
| 🖱️ Smooth touchscreen | ❌ |
| 🔋 Long battery life | ❌ |
| 📡 Better GPS accuracy | ❌ |
Conclusion
Garmin Fenix 7 is a high-performance multi-sports watch with enhanced training options that are accessible to all athletes. Its redesigned touchscreen makes navigating easier, and the increased battery life comes without adding weight. Most users will probably not notice the lack of a microphone.
