Garmin Fenix vs Epix: Complete List of Comparison [Guide 2023]

This time, we will be comparing the Garmin Fenix vs Epix and sharing the key differences between them. We are making this comparison, because these two smart-watches are pretty similar, especially considering the overall functionality and screen and case size. So, is it worth buying the Epix 2 and spend more or the Fenix 7 is just fine?

The Garmin Fenix 7 and Epix 2 don’t seem that different when you look at their screen sizes, storage, screen widths, even height and width. So, you may wonder what are the differences between these devices, and which one you should prefer the Garmin Fenix 7 or the Epix 2?

Here is the table we have put together to help you better understand the comparison of Garmin Fenix 7 vs Epix 2:

Key differences: Garmin Fenix 7 vs Epix 2

The main differences between Garmin Fenix 7 and Epix 2 are the display brightness, screen resolutions, battery-life, price-point, available models and the purpose of use.

We know that Garmin stated that the Fenix 7 series is more suitable for those who do outdoor sports, while the Epix is more suitable for those who like to do sports in the gym, due to Fenix’s solar charging and long battery life.

Related Article: Garmin Instict vs Fenix: Selection Guide for True Outdoor Smart Watch

First of all, Epix doesn’t have a solar version and it only comes in one size. But you can choose between stainless steel and titanium cases as you wish. It also has a model with a Sapphire Crystal lens, which is more resistant to scratches than the Corning Gorilla glass (used in standard model).

The Fenix 7, on the other hand, welcomes us on a wider scale. In fact, Fenix is not a single watch, but a whole series. The Fenix series offers a choice of three sizes: Fenix 7S, Fenix 7 and Fenix 7X. The case sizes are 42-mm, 47-mm and 51-mm respectively. All of these models are offered in standard, solar and solar sapphire versions. The 7S and 7 come with standard Corning Gorilla Glass. Meanwhile, Epix has only one size, 47 mm just like Fenix 7.

While Epix 2 is available in sapphire versions as stainless steel or carbon gray DLC titanium and pure titanium; Fenix comes in stainless steel, stainless steel PVD and titanium DLC options.

Fenix is giving away a reinforced glass and Power Glass lens or the new Power Sapphire lens on the cheapest 7 and 7S models. These lenses create solar cell powers in Fenix that we can’t see in the Epix 2.

On top of all that, only Fenix 7X has a LED flashlight that offers white and Led lights. This flashlight can be customized to increase your visibility and blink or vibrate during your workout in the dark, or lower lights. If you like the LED light option, although it may not seem like a very noticeable and important difference, the Fenix 7X is just the right choice for you!

Related Article: Garmin Forerunner vs Fenix

We strongly encourage you to read the entire post to understand the details of the key differences, since both Garmin Fenix 7 and Epix 2 are far from cheap. Here is the detailed explanation of each key points between the Fenix 7 and the Epix 2:

Model Options

Case Size: When it comes to the available models, the Garmin Fenix 7 wins the comparison by far since it comes with a lot of different models. Let’s take a look at them.

First of all, the case size option for Garmin Epix Gen 2 is 47-mm. On the other hand, the Fenix 7 has 42-mm, 47-mm and 51-mm case size options.

Glass Materials: In addition to this, Fenix has also Solar and Sapphire models. The Solar models have solar panels on the edge of display screen which extends the battery life further (Power Glass). The Sapphire models have scratch resistant glass called Power Sapphire. The standard Fenix 7 has Corning Gorilla glass which is also pretty much scratch resistant but not as much as the Sapphire Crystal. When it comes to the Epix Gen 2, it has a standard Corning Gorilla Glass lens as well as the Sapphire Crystal (Power Glass). But, there is no solar version available for the Epix 2.

Color and Case Material: There are dozens of different color and case material option for the Fenix 7. But, the color and case material option for Epix 2 are limited. You can check out following links to see the available color and case materials:

While there is only one Epix model, there are eight different Fenix 7 models.

Comparing the Display of Fenix 7 vs Epix 2

Display features of these two garments are one of the most important features that we pay attention to while picking one over the other. Since, the brightness and resolution of our screen is very important to us.

When you make the screen as bright as possible, it reduces reflection and you will not have any difficulty seeing your screen while doing sports in different weather conditions.

Generally speaking, it would be more reasonable to prefer the Epix 2 over the Fenix 7. Because Epix has a big advantage over Fenix watches in this regard since it has a high-resolution AMOLED display that shows your data, maps, graphics in perfect clarity and brightness.

In addition, The Epix 2 wins this comparison by far when we consider the resolution. The Epix 2, with its 416×416 pixel screen, is ahead of the Fenix 7 with a 260×260 pixel screen.

Design

These two seems so similar for the case size of 47-mm. Both Fenix and Epix has 47-mm case size. But, in addition to this, Fenix 7 has also 42-mm and 51 mm case size.

Comparing the 47-mm case size of these, the length, width and thickness of these two devices (without cord) are the same for both.

But, Garmin Fenix 7, with its 56-gram body and 23-gram cord (79 grams in total), is heavier than the Epix 2, with a 53-gram body and 23-gram cord (76 grams in total). This small weight difference is definitely not a deal breaker.

Comparing the Battery Life for Fenix 7 vs Epix 2

We mentioned Epix’s amazing AMOLED display. We know that this bright and high-resolution display will also come at a cost to battery life. Although you can extend the battery life with some mods, Epix still lags behind in terms of battery life compared to the Fenix 7.

We have put together following chart to help you clearly compare the battery-life of Fenix vs Epix:

Epix 2 Battery Life

• In Smartwatch Mode: (6 days in always-on), approx. 16 days.
• In GPS Mode: approx. 42 hours if 30 hours in always-on.
• All Satellite System: approx. 32 hours if 24 hours in always-on
• All Satellite Systems and Multi-band: approx. 20 hours if left on always-on for 15 hours.
• All Satellite Systems and Music: approx. 10 hours if 9 hours in always on.
• Max Battery GPS: approx. 75 hours.
• Expedition GPS: approx. 14 days.
• In Battery Saver Mode: approx. 21 days.

Fenix 7 Battery Life

• In Smartwatch Mode: approx. 18 days.
• GPS Only: approx. 57 days.
• All Satellite Systems: approx. 40 hours.
• All Satellite Systems and Music: approx. 10 hours.
• Max Battery GPS: approx. 136 hours.
• Expedition GPS: approx. 40 days.
• In Battery Saver Mode: approx. 173 days.

Fenix 7 Solar Battery Life

• In smartwatch mode: with solar, approx. 22 days.
• GPS Only: with solar, approx. 73 hours.
• All Satellite systems: with solar, approx. 48 hours.
• Max Battery GPS: with solar, approx. 289 hours.
• Expedition GPS: with solar, approx. 74 days.
• In Battery Saver Mode: with solar, approx. 173 days

Mapping Navigation Features

There is no wonder, mapping and navigation features will be very important to anyone who wish to get a smartwatch. Considering the navigation features, both the Fenix 7 and the Epix 2 have a return to start mode, convenient backtracking mode, point-to-point navigation, and ClimbPro climb planning.

You can create or upload new routes as you wish using the Garmin Connect feature. Thanks to the Up Ahead feature of both watches, you can see the important points on your route on the routes you have determined.

We can say that we are equally satisfied with the mapping experience of these two garments. You can use the touch screen to navigate the maps. However, you must use the buttons on the sides of the watches to zoom in and out on the maps.

Again, thanks to the Epix’s resolution and Amoled display, it’s easier to navigate maps and see points in detail on this watch. Thanks to the brightness and the resolution of the screen, you can see the Epix screen much more comfortably while doing your sports under the sun.

Activity and Fitness Tracking

We know that Garmin stated that the Fenix 7 series is more suitable for those who do outdoor sports, while the Epix is more suitable for those who like to do sports in the gym, due to Fenix’s solar charging and long battery life.

Both watches are very similar in terms of training tools and fitness tracking. They both have an SpO2 sensor, an optical heart rate monitor and a temperature sensor.

Also, it has features to monitor your sleep, blood oxygen saturation, respiration, and stress for 24 hours. With real-time endurance tracking, there are training tools to help you track, monitor, and improve your performance.

In addition to all that, there is a feature that you can only see in the Epix watch. These are animated workouts that you can follow on your wrist. These workouts take advantage of the Epix’s bright AMOLED display. For example, Muscle Map graphics that show which muscle groups you worked last time.

Pricing Point for Garmin Fenix vs Epix

Even if you are buying premium watches, you may be tempted to compare their prices as well. In this respect, Fenix 7 stands out by being noticeably cheaper. However, solar Fenix 7 watches cost more.

You can check out the following links to see the latest deals and discounts on Garmin Fenix 7 and the Epix Gen 2:

Bottom-line for Garmin Fenix 7 vs Epix 2 Comparison

When it comes to make a final decision for Garmin Fenix vs Epix, you should consider the followings:

The Epix 2 has a brighter screen, but it is expensive and its battery lasts less than the Fenix 7. The Smart Features for both are almost the same, as well as the mapping navigation features are the same.

On the other hand, the Fenix 7 has a lot more available model out there. It has also a Solar Models which has an extended battery-life compared to the standard and Sapphire models.

If you are wondering which one is better, we prefer the Garmin Fenix 7 for all-around applications as well as the outdoor activities. But we prefer wearing our Epix while doing sports in the gym.

Also, you may be interested in our popular post: Apple Watch vs Garmin Fenix

About Garmin Company

We are all aware of the great benefits of doing sports in our lives. Therefore, we may all want to use as minimal and light weight devices as possible to record data such as the speed and duration of our pace, where we can record our performance while we are running or doing our sport.

Garmin is an American multinational technology company founded in 1989 by Gary Burrell and Min Kao.

We admire the Garmin Products and review them a lot. So that we prepared side-by-side comparisons as well as stand alone in-depth articles. If you are wondering what are the differences between different Garmin Wearable Smart Watches, you may want to take a quick look at the following articles:

• Garmin Vivoactive vs Forerunner: Which one is better?
• Garmin Forerunner In-depth Review: Guide for Running Watches
• Garmin Venu vs Vivoactive

References

Garmin Fenix 7 support and how to use video:

Introduction to Garmin Fenix 7 and its user manual: https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-C001C335-A8EC-4A41-AB0E-BAC434259F92/EN-US/fenix_7_Series_OM_EN-US.pdf

Garmin Epix 2 support and how to use video:

Introduction to Garmin Epix 2 and its user manual: https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-E5C62F3F-DCE3-4197-8CA5-E419B2A55D12/EN-US/epix_2_OM_EN-US.pdf