Top sales! Garmin Fenix 7 Solar Screen: 1.3 inches |
Maximum lightness! Garmin Fenix 7S Solar Screen: 1.2 inches |
Large screen! Garmin Fenix 7X Solar Screen: 1.4 inches |
One of the ballasts of today’s electronic devices is precisely autonomy. All the sophistication, all the advances can be affected if the duration of the batteries does not allow them to be fully used.
In the case of smartwaches, mobile phones or tablets, their increasingly compact designs directly affect the size of the battery and, ultimately, autonomy.
However, this problem has not gone unnoticed by Garmin, which decided to go for solar energy to greatly enhance the autonomy of its devices. These have been designed for sports practice, for outdoor routes and all kinds of sports that are practiced outdoors. Why not harness the energy of the sun?
This is precisely what these three models do: the Fenix 7 Solar, the Fenix 7S Solar and the Fenix 7X Solar.
Now, apart from sunlight, you have to be attentive to the rest of the specifications, since we are talking about very complex devices and not especially cheap. In general, we could say that there are three big differences between these watches.
Garmin Fenix 7 Solar vs. Fenix 7S Solar vs. Fenix 7X Solar – Comparison Table
Choosing between one of these three Garmin watches is not an easy task, however, we are going to give you all the information you need to make the best decision. We start with a comparative table where you can find detailed information on each model.
(Slide the table to see all the content)
Fenix 7 Solar |
Fenix 7S Solar |
Fenix 7X Solar |
|
Weight | 79 grams | 63 grams | 96 grams |
Dimensions (Millimeters) | 47 x 47 x 14.5 | 42 x 42 x 14.1 | 51 x 51 x 14.9 |
Lens material | Power Glass | Power Glass | Power Glass |
Bezel material | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
Shell material | Fiber reinforced polymer with metal back cover | Fiber reinforced polymer with metal back cover | Fiber reinforced polymer with metal back cover |
Strap material | Silicone | Silicone | Silicone |
Touch screen | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Color display | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Screen size | 1.30″ | 1.20″ | 1.40″ |
Screen resolution | 260 x 260 px | 240 x 240 px | 280 x 280 px |
Waterproof | 10 ATM | 10 ATM | 10 ATM |
Sensors | GPS + GLONASS + GALILEO + Heart rate monitor + barometric altimeter + compass + gyroscope + accelerometer + thermometer + pulse oximetry acclimatization | GPS + GLONASS + GALILEO + Heart rate monitor + barometric altimeter + compass + gyroscope + accelerometer + thermometer + pulse oximetry acclimatization | GPS + GLONASS + GALILEO + Heart rate monitor + barometric altimeter + compass + gyroscope + accelerometer + thermometer + pulse oximetry acclimatization |
Women’s Health Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Health Snapshot | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Map display | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Autonomy | 18-22 days | 11-14 days | 28 – 37 days |
Solar charging | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Memory | 16 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB |
Connectivity | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi |
Compatibility | iPhone + Android | iPhone + Android | iPhone + Android |
Play music | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Music storage | Up to 2000 songs | Up to 2000 songs | Up to 2000 songs |
Garmin Pay | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Find my watch function | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Find my phone | Yes | Yes | Yes |
First difference. Design
Although the lines of each watch are different from this, the big difference itself lies in the size of each watch, which ends up affecting other devices, as we will see later.
The weight, the constant fight of the athlete against the extra grams can be key in your choice. You will soon know why.
The Fenix 7X Solar is the heaviest watch at 96 grams. This is due to its dimensions of 51 x 51 x 14.9 millimeters. It is a large, robust watch that follows a more traditional design, with large buttons.
In second place we have the Fenix 7 Solar. 79 grams and measures 47 x 47 x 14.5. We are talking about a medium-sized watch, but it does not have the “power” of the previous model.
Finally, the ace of lightness, the Fenix 7S Solar, with 63 grams and dimensions of 42 x 42 x 14.1 millimeters. Softened, more discreet design, in short, another approach.
The Garmin Fenix Solar lens What is Power Glass?
When Garmin announced the release of smart watches that could use the sun’s energy to recharge the battery, many wondered how this would happen.
Well, this takes place on the watch face. The version of the Fenix Solar incorporates a Power Glass lens. This lens generates electricity by taking advantage of the energy received by the sun, so that it is possible to recharge the battery while you practice your favorite sport.
This is ideal for long distance or endurance events, such as ultra marathons, ironman, etc.
Construction materials
Leaving aside the lens, which we have talked about in the previous section, we are going to focus on the rest of the elements that shape these watches.
All three Garmin models have a stainless steel bezel (a very resistant material), while the case is made of a fiber-reinforced polymer and covered on the back with metal.
As for the strap, it is currently available in silicone.
Second difference. Screen
We have already mentioned that the size affects other watch sections. It is clear that if a watch is bigger, the screen must also be bigger.
Following this logic, the Fenix 7X Solar has a 1.40” screen (280 x 280). It is closely followed by the Fenix 7 with 1.30” (260 x 260). Lastly, the Fenix 7S has a smaller screen of 1.20” (240 x 240).
We emphasize that we are not talking about one screen being better and another worse, we are simply referring to its dimensions. Of course, a larger screen allows you to view the data in a more comfortable way.
But not all are differences when dealing with the screens of these watches. The three Fenix Solar models have a color touch screen.
Can these watches be submerged in water?
Of course, the type of lens does not influence this aspect at all. All three watches have a water resistance of 10 ATM (about one hundred meters deep)
Garmin Fenix location systems
These clocks are not for you to stay at home looking at the time. They have everything they need to go on adventures, to discover new territories or to spend many hours outdoors.
All three Garmin watches are integrated with up to three location systems: GPS, GLONASS and GALILEO. Do you know their differences?
GPS was developed by the United States. The GLONASS comes to be the same, but of Soviet creation and used at present by the Russian Federation. Finally, GALILEO is of European origin and is an attempt not to depend on third parties.
The translation of all this is that you will not get lost. Neither because of how controlled you are going to be nor because of the fact that you can view the maps on your Garmin watch.
Sensors and health monitoring
But if there is a section where these devices stand out, it is in the number of monitoring options they offer.
One only has to take a look at the many sensors that integrate it. The three Garmin watches will allow you to monitor heart rate, temperature, blood oxygen level, atmospheric pressure…
In short, a large amount of information that will be available on your wrist and that will help you give your best at all times.
However, Garmin has also thought about the feminine aspect and has incorporated a female health (menstruation) monitoring sensor, which brings great versatility to these watches.
¿Health Snapshot?
One more bullet in the Garmin chamber to finish driving you crazy with your watch. This is a function that allows a complete record of your health for a period of two minutes (in which you will have to remain completely still).
All three Garmin Fenix Solar models have the Health Snapshot function.
Third difference. Autonomy
Here the influence of the size of the watches is also visible and, of course, solar charging.
The Fenix 7X Solar offers an autonomy that ranges between 28 and 37 days, depending on how you use the watch and whether you use solar charging. For this reason, we emphasize that the table values must be taken as purely indicative.
On the other hand, the Fenix 7S Solar allows continuous use that goes from 11 to 14 days. Here you can see the abysmal difference between one model and another.
Finally, the Fenix 7 Solar is in an intermediate position, with an autonomy of 18 to 22 days.
Other features of the Fenix 7 Solar
We’ve looked at the watches in depth, but there are still things to see where the three models agree.
For example, these three Garmin offer a storage space of 16 GB, as well as bluetooth, ANT+ and Wi-Fi connectivity.
You also don’t have to worry about the mobile phone you use, since the watches are compatible with both iPhone and Android.
Do you like to listen to music at all times?
You are in luck, since in all three devices you can play music and store up to 2000 songs. Or else, link it through the mobile phone.
Garmin Features
The company has put everything it has into making the best smartwatches on the market, and this can be seen in features like Garmin Pay, which allows contactless payments to be made.
On the other hand, the security of these watches is increased by presenting functions such as “find my watch” or “find my phone”, very useful whenever you have an approximate idea of where you have lost your device.
What watch to choose?
We already know these watches inside out, so we can speak honestly. As we have seen, it is not about one watch being better than another, since they offer the same features.
Therefore, the first thing you have to do is ask yourself: What is the most important thing?
If you’re not sure whether to bet on lightness or autonomy, then take home the Garmin Fenix 7 Solar, which is an intermediate point between the two other models.
To trim down to the last gram, you know, Garmin Fenix 7S Solar. Of course, with a reduced autonomy.
Autonomy above all? You are taking time to go for the Garmin Fenix 7X Solar.