Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix 2: tech specs, design, features we are likely to see
The Garmin Fenix line has become a preference for sports and outdoor enthusiasts. This is a great smartwatch which packs a whole lot of of fitness, sports tracking and outdoor navigation features. A wearable for those who are into multi-sports and want to be able to track pretty much anything.
Garmin is doing a splendid job at churning out new products on a regular basis. And not only for the Fenix range. A recent addition to its stable of watches is the Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE – a cellularly-enabled version of the 945.
It has been a full two years since the launch of Fenix 6. It doesn’t take a brain scientist to figure out we should be getting the next iteration soon. Having said that, we did get a Solar Fenix 6 last summer.
Many of us are thirsty for the Garmin Fenix 7. Some have opted to skip the sixth generation so are wondering what the next generation will bring. And then there are those who don’t want to spend money on the 6 if the 7 is releasing soon. A slightly obsessed Redditor says “I honestly have been checking Garmin website for the 7 multiple times a day for two months, I don’t even know why I do it but I guess it’s part of me now.” We’re sure he’s not the only one.
Some were hoping the company would make some sort of mention of the device at its Developers Virtual Conference in October. But there was not even a hint of an announcement. Then again, Garmin never provides info ahead of an official launch preferring to keep its plans under wraps.
Considering the leaks we are seeing of late, it seems likely we will see Fenix 7 and Epix 2 at CES 2022 or possibly even earlier. Yesterday, the website winfuture.de published what they say are press renders of Fenix 7, Epix 2, Venu 2 Plus and Instinct 2. The pictures you see below are hosted directly on their website and will only be displayed while they are hosted there. We cannot confirm whether they are images of the real thing.
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Design expectations
Features we would like (are likely) to see
Possible release date, price
Garmin Fenix 7: Design expectations
The overall look of Fenix watches has remained fairly consistent over the years. But there have been a few tweaks along the way.
Having said that, Garmin appears to be adapting a similar design across its latest crop of sports watches so it is not straying very much from that. We, therefore, don’t expect to see any drastic changes on that front or a new look with the Fenix 7.
It will most likely be limited to reducing the size, thickness and weight, and perhaps improving screen quality a bit. Along with some small design tweaks. The one important upgrade might be an AMOLED display but this is supposedly coming to a separate model called Epix 2.
Further slimming down of the body
With the Fenix 5 line Garmin has managed to slim down the body a bit. This version also brought in three different sized options for the first time including the S variant – a smaller Garmin Fenix designed with the female sports enthusiast in mind.
The latest Fenix 6 range brought in some more changes on the design front. Most notable is the larger display, something that was done by reducing the bezel size. Now there’s no rim separating the screen from the edge which allows for more room for customisable data fields (six data for Fenix 6/6S and eight on the 6X). Whats more, Garmin has managed to shave off another millimetre from the back of the watch along with a few grams of weight.
Despite these changes most people would agree the watch is not really that stylish. It’s not exactly as if it has been hit with an ugly stick but this is clearly a sports watch designed as a rugged all-rounder. And this shows. Plus, despite Garmin’s efforts, the wearable is still bulky and heavy.
 | Garmin Forerunner 945/945 LTE |  |
Will Garmin might reduce the size of the watch further by making it slimmer? This would certainly make it more appealing to a wider audience.
Transflective memory-in-pixel display stays but there will reportedly be a separate AMOLED model
Battery life is why Garmin has chosen the sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) for its Fenix range. AMOLED is much more power-hungry so not kind to battery life. We don’t see any change there although there is talk the company might introduce a fancier display. Recent Venu devices have shown it is possible to do this without compromising battery life too much.
The majority of sources are saying the MIP will stay on Fenix 7, with the same resolution and sizes. The images below from winfuture.de seem to support that.
However, a model called Epix 2 will reportedly be introduced that would sport an AMOLED screen. This sounds like a plausible scenario. Garmin did the same with Vivoactive and the fancier Venu. Here’s what it reportedly looks like. This would be a rejuvenation of the discontinued Epix watch – hence the number 2 in the name.
We also see Garmin retaining the same five button configuration. The decision to opt for physical buttons for navigation is practical because athletes would find a touchscreen difficult to use in mid-exercise or wet-weather. The current setup works well so why change something that works. Perhaps Garmin might provide the best of both worlds – introduce touch capability whilst keeping the current functionality of the buttons. Epix 2 would certainly be a good candidate for that and perhaps even the Fenix 7.
What’s interesting is the design of the top right button in the images above. It is not clear whether this is a rotating crown or if it has some other type of functionality. But there’s definitely something going on there.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
The mid-sized Fenix 6 runs an impressive 2 weeks in smartwatch mode and 36 hours with “normal” GPS switched on. As mentioned, Garmin knows the awesome battery life an important selling point. So whatever design changes it brings, it will make sure it doesn’t compromise the length of time between charges. Having said that, the battery life would not be as good on Epix 2 due to the AMOLED display.
Solar as standard on Fenix 7
On this topic, the solar feature is an interesting add-on to the Fenix 6. The range has a more pricey variant with a transparent solar charging lens that sits on top of the watch face. Garmin calls the tech Power Glass. It adds a bit more juice in all battery modes by converting the sun’s rays into energy. This is a nifty add-on which we are sure will filter down to other iterations in the coming years as evidenced by Enduro.
Some are expecting this to come as standard on most Fenix 7 models, perhaps all. But that doesn’t appear to be the case judging by the leaks. The feature is not a must-have, but it is a nice-to-have. At the moment, the solar is way too small to make much of a difference. There’s talk that the solar ring will be about 3x larger on Fenix 7, so more effective than on the Fenix 6.
In addition to this, the latest Fenix brought customisable power-management modes for the first time. This allows users to actually see how various settings and sensors impact battery life. Very useful when you are trying to figure out when you’ll need to reach for the charger.
An also frequently mentioned feature in the comments below is wireless charging. Will Garmin listen?
Garmin Fenix 7: Features we’d like (are likely) to see
Garmin Fenix is one of the best multi-sport GPS watches around. You can use it for cycling, open water swimming, cross country skiing, climbing, indoor run/bike/swim, hiking and much more. The watch provides advanced running metrics and outdoor navigation in addition to everything you are likely to need for monitoring fitness. And finally, while not the most user friendly, the Garmin Connect software is top notch whether you are utilising the smartphone app or the even more comprehensive web dashboard.
All Fenix watches come equipped with ABC sensors to provide relevant real-time information. The built-in altimeter provides elevation data, while the barometer can be used to predict weather changes by showing short-term trends in air pressure. The electronic compass keeps your bearing whether you are moving or not.
While impressive in its specs, the Fenix 6 is by no means perfect. Improvements in GPS and the ANT+ antenna are always welcome. Fenix 6 has Garmin’s ELEVATE heart rate sensor, but this is V3 – we are now up to V4. So further upgrades on this front are to be expected. Not to mention that heart rate sensors that work from the wrist still have some catching up to do compared to chest straps.
More training metrics
The watch also has lots of features which tell you about your form and fitness including a bunch of Firstbeat metrics. VO2 max, lactate threshold, recovery advisor, training effect, real-time performance condition and much more are on this list. The stats are now adjusted for heat and altitude acclimation status. Your performance metrics are no longer be influenced by environmental factors. Other recent additions include Daily Workout Suggestions and improved Recovery time (that takes into consideration rest).
Advanced training features also include something called Dynamic PacePro. This is “grade-adjusted pace guidance throughout your activity”. It coaches you in real time so you can slow and speed up a run depending on your goal and race plan.
Recovery statistics seem to be all the rage these days. Even Fitbit has joined the fun with its Daily Readiness Score. Not exactly a Whoop killer but it does present competition.
Garmin has a Body Battery feature that lets you know when you are good to train by using a combination of stress, heart rate variability (HRV), sleep and activity data. But there’s still lots of room for improvement. Letting the user see raw HRV data would be a good start.
The leaked images do make a mension of a new Stamina metric. We are yet to learn what this is all about.
There are also other Firstbeat metrics which could find their way to the Fenix 7. Particularly as the Finish outfit is under Garmin’s wing now. You can bet they have lots of new goodies under development!
As mentioned, the Fenix line of watches is not just for running. There are special features to help with swim training, cycling, golfing and skiing too. To list them all would simply take too long. But Garmin will continue to build on these which means we will see more niche sports and additional metrics tracked.
New sensors
The Fenix 6 watch didn’t really bring anything new in terms of sensors. The only real change is that the PulseOx is now available across the entire range. The watches gauge your oxygen saturation levels at night, allowing you to better understand your sleep quality. You can also take readings on demand during the day.
ECG sensors have been lots of headlines in the last couple of years. It is more a health than a fitness feature but why not add ECG functionality to a Garmin watch? The tech seems to be here. Does it really belong on a sports watch? Maybe not.
But ECG is definitely coming soon to a Garmin smartwatch near you. How do we know? Because Garmin has been testing a watch that has this capability. It is a proprietary device with AFib detection. A Clinical Trial was concluded in July. It is quite possible the sensor might make its debut on an all-purpose-watch, instead.
Other sensors are becoming an increasing possibility. This could include a blood-pressure sensor as the next big thing. Samsung was one of the first to demonstrate that it is possible to take such a measurement by using the optical heart rate sensor. Other possibilities include sweat analysis, glucose, hydration and more. There have been movements in this area recently that suggest that sort of tech is not far off. It is likely to hit the mainstream in late 2022, so perhaps something for Fenix 8 rather than Fenix 7.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen something truly revolutionary on the sensor front. But we may be about to enter a period where we see huge changes.
Dual-frequency GNSS chip
This has been around for over a year now so the high-end Fenix is a great device for this to make its Garmin debut. The dual-frequency GNSS chip allows for better positioning, particularly in environments such as dense forests, around high-rise buildings, etc.
A cellular model on a Fenix watch? It doesn’t appear likely.
A cellular model for Fenix 7? Before we would have said perhaps – now we say unlikely. At least not according to the leaks so far. Having said that Garmin did release the 945 and then later on a subsequent 945 LTE model. So its possible it could take this same route with Fenix 7.
This will most probably mirror the functionality that is currently available. The 945 LTE allows you to send SOS messages, tap into a 24/7 emergency service, and stay in touch with your friends and family with Livetrack, Spectator Messaging and Live Event Sharing. The company has recently bought GEOS Worldwide, so may be looking to make more of these emergency features. Accessing this without your smartphone nearby would be ideal.
There’s currently no ability to make phone calls from a Garmin watch. But this is edging closer. Probably not for Fenix 7 but definitely one day.
Other improvements
The Connect IQ platform has already seen improvements recently, but expect more work on bettering the user experience and an array of 3rd party apps on board. At the moment, Garmin wearables come nowhere near the range of apps that are available for the Apple Watch. There has been talk of this at Garmin’s Developer Conference last month.
As mentioned, improvements to GPS and sensors are always to be expected. There’s also the likelihood of a new Sony chipset. The other possibility is running power from the wrist, similar to the high-end Polar range. This shows athletes how hard they are working — a nice addition to standard heart rate tracking.
Garmin Fenix 7: Expected release date
In reality no one knows for sure apart from Garmin when Fenix 7 is going to get released. But the leaks are intensifying so it is most probably just around the corner.
This year has been difficult for wearable brands. Not many devices were released due to a combination of factors including chip shortages, the pandemic, along with energy supply issues in some countries. And than there was that ransomware attack about a year ago that is fresh in people’s memories. It might be still messing with R&D as well as manufacturing and logistics.
Garmin Fenix 5 was announced at CES 2017 and rolled out a few months after. Fenix 6 saw the light of day in August 2019 but there was also an interim version in July 2020. The company usually only has major updates every other year but at this point it’s safe to say we will not be seeing Fenix 7 and Epix 2 in 2021. Don’t be too surprised about that.
Garmin doesn’t strictly follow a pattern on their hardware releases like some other companies do. Releasing a device at the end in December would not make much sense. Garmin almost never does this.
Our money is that we will hear some sort of announcement at CES 2022 in Las Vegas. The event is returning to a physical gathering after a virtual-only format last year. Then later in Q1 actual availability might start. There is even talk on Reddit that JB HiFi in Sydney is showing that Fenix 7 will be in stock in January 22nd. We were not able to find the actual listing but it is something to keep in mind. It would fit in with a CES 2022 announcement.
Here are the release dates of the recent Fenix line:
- Fenix 5 – March 23, 2017
- Fenix 5 Plus – June 18, 2018
- Fenix 6 – August 29, 2019
- Fenix 6 Pro Solar (6/6s) – July 6, 2020
Garmin Fenix 7: Expected price
If you decided to skip Fenix 6 because it was too pricey, don’t get your hopes up that things will change. This will remain a high-end watch. Particularly if there is a LTE variant.
Is a budget edition possible? Probably not. In a sense the Forerunner 945 is the budget version of the Fenix 6 so the 955 will the the less expensive iteration of Fenix 7.
We should once again see different price points for different sizes. Including much more expensive premium and limited editions.
| Garmin Fenix 6 | |
Whatever the final price, the Fenix 7 will be a great choice as it will still be one of the best smartwatches for fitness fanatics. And we suspect, the legion of existing Fenix users will remain loyal to the wearable which has already proven its worth.
So what do you think? What would you like to see on the Fenix 7?
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Running Power workouts
Isn’t the “fenix 6 Sport” actually the fenix 6 non-Pro?
Have never heard of it referred to as Fenix 6 Sport by Garmin.
I’d like to see a premium AMOLED screen on one version. Accept it would kill battery life, but for the full feature set of the fenix with a bright vibrant premium screen I’d live with it. Ideally I’d like 48 hrs. Alternatively, do it on the Marq Athlete. I want a Tag Heuer killer. Oh, and lose the fugly bezel on the venu.
OLED is total Killer, you Will get 2 days of watch mode, 8 hours of sport with GPS.
forget AMOLEd… nice for you if you can live with 48h batterielife, just buy apple watch but not Garmin!!!!! should stay longer.. 1-2 weeks or even more batterielife make fenix my best watch and the only choice…
Absolutely. We want a watch we can wear during day time (before training) with suits and casual clothes and not look like a Robinzon Cruzo. I’d do just fine.with 48 hrs battery life. Call it garmin fenix lite if you want.
it is there allready – it is called garmin venu..
The Venu 2 lacks too many features and Garmin’s TruUp kind of stinks for multiple device owners.
In Japan, I wear my Fenix 5S Plus constantly and get nothing but compliments about how stylish and cool it is, including worn with suits. And I can see it perfectly fine…even wearing Oakley’s on a searing bright day at 3000 meters in the mountains… I mean, my smartphone’s AMOLED brightness is way too much; I keep it off automatic and on the nearly lowest setting during daytime otherwise it hurts my eyes. I don’t see Garmin compromising the vision of the Fenix series; they already making a lower end hybrid sports watch for those who aren’t solely concerned with high end sports performance. AMOLED screens will (paired with buttons) probably be standard eventually, but the technology isn’t there yet. They are too power hungry and Garmin has also been trying to slim down the Fenix series and improve its battery life, as those are the big sales points.
Garmin Tag – Fenix 7
That’s what we need – Tag aesthetics with Garmin tec.
Not all of our days are spent in the wilderness.
Then don’t buy a fenix – which is designed for those who spend most of their days outside doing stuff. If you want a “dress” watch, buy something else, or get an Apple watch.
Built in InReach Functions!
I don’t want to carry multiple devices anymore! Phone and Watch would be great!
Great idea!
We need a UV sensor on the watch face, which tells you what your sun exposure is, how long you have been in the sun and whether you need to be wearing sunscreen / seek shade. Could prevent a lot of skin cancers for all of the users hiking / doing activities outdoors.
you can find that information (how much sunlight you got) on the solar models
as for what I’d like to see, a reduction in size and better solar charging/ battery are enough at this point for me to upgrade my Fenix 5 – could we even ask for wireless charging?!?
DEFFINITELY NOT AN AMOLED
The just released Venu 2 Plus sports improved phone and voice assistant connectivity. It has a built in mic and speaker to even make phone calls. Usually Garmin packs everything in the Fenix so maybe we can expect that feature in the Fenix 7, too. Or in the Epix 2. It even works with iPhone.
Actually I am not interested in smart functions hence I switched all notifications off. But on some occasions it could be interesting. For example when you receive a call during a snow shoe or bike tour and your phone is in the pocket of your jacket.
Just want to let you know that AMOLED on the Venu is trash. It developed many ugly burn in effects after 2 years. It is just not as bright as it was. And in bright sun it is difficult to read. So with the Fenix I will switch back to MIP which will last for many many years without any damages.
What about a built-in QI charger so you do not worry about your cable all the time?
That is a gamechanger even for me with a 5x on my wrist.
celluar is a most useful and wanted feature . Then I can leave my phone at home and if i crash or need help I can turn on cell and ask for help. Or as an extra alternate when I have crashed on my bike and the phone is smashed.
cellular would be great. Not only for emergency situations but also for streaming audio while on the run
If i put all ideas above together its an apple watch
“If i put all ideas above together its an apple watch”
No and Yes…. Mostly No. I just got an Apple Watch for my Heart. Its a family thing. Anyway, I wear both (Fenix6 & AW). I use my Fenix for my workouts and Golf (is golf a workout?). Anyway, I prefer my F6, as it does a better job with most physical activities and way better with golf. Also, I can edit any of my F6 activities. Apple won’t let you edit. I still use the AW during workouts as well (Apple Health App ties everything together with all my medical charts). The F6 has a better battery life (until the last firmware update), but still better.
What the AW does for me besides ECG. Answer phone calls without phone and reply to some texts (I’ll wait to use my phone for long winded texts). Oh and Apple Pay. My bank is not setup for Garmin Pay.
So No, not an Apple Watch if ideas added. Just a few things that would save me from having watches on each wrist.
I recently purchased a Fenix 6 after a poor Apple Care replacement process left me without a watch for two weeks. I broke out the old Casio Protrek from back in 2010 and realized just how bad it was for actually useful activity, especially since I wore it while hiking normally. I intend to use the Fenix for longer hikes and workouts, for which it is much better suited than the Apple Watch. Really impressed with Garmin Connect, although I had it available with my cyclometer I never really used it until now, since I would upload everything to Strava. So one less subscription too. But would really like to see more two way interaction with phones and other devices, but I doubt that will happen, because neither company seems all that interested in interoperability.
Fenix 7 Comes in Oktober 2021.
I heard that too.
How do you know that?
Love to see Incident detection integrated with inreach mini
I second better integration with the inReach Mini. Not just Incident Detection but the Live Tracking, too. (No, not trying to fit an inReach on my wrist. The antenna size alone would probably make that impossible.)
As for the ECG, while it can be put on a wrist sensor, wouldn’t it be far more accurate on the chest strap? I’d like to see an updated chest strap that adds better heart health sensors, and the watch being able to view the new data and warnings. (Heck, maybe tie it into the Incident Detection: “Heart attack in progress at X.XXXXX N X.XXXXXX W”.)
As for cellular, no thanks. It would add to the weight and kill battery life. If I’m running less than an hour, a small waist belt holds my phone in the small of my back. If I’m running more than an hour I’ve got a hydration belt or pack that also holds my phone and my gels. And if I’m running on a trail, I don’t have cell reception much of the time.
I understand the issue of battery life when it comes to cellular options, but how about the ability to just turn it off or sell a model that doesn’t have it? I loved my Fenix 5 but I just cant live without the convenience and safety that my Apple Watch offers. If Garmin would offer the Fenix with a cellular version, I would come back, however, I am more willing to give up some of the training metrics for all of the other positives that the Apple product currently offers.
I’d actually like to see improved lap detection in the pool. Unless you pause your Fenix 6 at every interval it counts non-existent laps during rest periods. Way too sensitive – I hate to say it but my older Apple Watch is so much better in this regard.
Improved outdoor swim tracking would also be great. My 6 started out great but began losing accuracy after a few months. No idea why – I’ve heard others say the same.
Let’s get these things right before we start adding more features
I would really love in Fenix 7 a good and more powerful solar panel, that can really make a substantial difference. Something that can power the watch from 0% to 10% in one day of solar exposure for example
I have the 5x currently and it’s possible I’ll go for the 6x later this year, main features on that one is bigger text (eyes starting to go bad…) and longer battery life. It’s pretty much all I care about for next iterations as well.
I hope screen technology doesn’t change to make battery time lower. I don’t care about size either, as long as it’s not bulkier than 5x it’s fine. I’m not ashamed for wearing a sports watch.
I find solar feature quite lame. Looks good in an article (probably why they added it), doubt it really has any actual benefit, I mean imagine you’re running an ultra, during the day you need to make sure you keep the watch towards the sun (if it’s out at all) to ensure it gets back a little bit of energy. How realistic is that? Can’t imagine being useful enough to make a difference. No offense to the earlier commenter but keeping the watch out in the sun for a day to get 10%, it helps if you’re stranded on Mars with nothing to do and you really want your watch to work.
Good resistance to weather conditions and water, good batter, good readable screen (perhaps well configurable data screens to ensure people with not so good eyes can use it during races)… if I would add one thing, replaceable batteries, I mean throw out something because battery went dead seems like a waste financially and environmentally. I should be able to get a battery (with a seal replacement if needed) for like 30$-50$ and do it myself or get it done by a watch service. These watches should have longer than 2-3 years life.
Dude I have a fenix 3 bought in 2016… They last longer than 2-3 years for sure. I won’t buy a new one until they can put some kind of cellular or satellite connectivity in to it. I bet you could send it to garmin and get your battery replaced if it died.
Batteries are available. I just replaced mine and my 5X is like new. No need for the 7 and another $800 shelled out
This is a great column with lots of good ideas. My 2 cents worth- drop the gimmicks : pulse ox, solar panel. ekg etc. They add nothing relevant , take up space, increase cost, add weight, and shorten battery life. Strike 5 if I count correctly. Cordless charging would be awesome. Also might make for a more robust watch body with one less opening. More analytics and better connectivity including GPS and it’s foreign counterparts to increase accuracy. With the new bluetooth should be able to connect to both a sensor and my phone simultaneously . An alternative may be using a cell signal for data downloads and even real time tracking by support team competitors etc. if that is not energy prohibitive. Still not very happy with changing the app settings on my fenix 5 but that very well may reflect my age. Speaking of which better screen visibility is always good.
Hope they sort out the inconsistent HR issues. Take a look at Garmin forum, over 100 pages customers complaining and Garmin remaining silent.
Replaceable battery.
A touch-screen (that could be switched off?).
Wireless charging. USB C port otherwise.
Cycling power meter support.
Basic diving mode.
Ant+ EKG band?
For me
Seamless Concept2 integration as profiles
Better screen res without battery sacrifice
VO2 calcs from not just running (not all of us are runners!)
Better HR readings so you don’t need to wear a strap for accurate readings
If I got those I’d be happy
They must improve a lot, or I would say too much in the weight training monitoring part, it only shows you with gifts some pre-established workouts, but when you develop your own routine you have no way of knowing what exercise they refer to since the exercises do not have GIF images to indicate what type of exercise you are selecting from the list of exercises that have been loaded, so if you want it for weight exercise it will not serve you practically at all. In the Garmin Connect section, the way to prepare weight training is not very friendly either.
On the other hand, the customer service is extremely deplorable, I have been reviewing this weight training issue for 8 months and I have not yet had a favorable response, plus it takes weeks or months to reply to an email, even on the phone. They lack a lot to have good customer service. Due to the quality of the watch material it is excellent.
The elephant in the room is the way the Fenix series charges. The charging port is the weakest link in the design. This does not appear to have been improved in the F7. The new Enduro also uses the same type of charging port. A charging port on a FITNESS WATCH than can be corroded and made inoperable by SWEAT?? Really??
Even with the most care, those little gold bumps corrode and the watch will no longer charge.
One should not have to rely on a third party rubber port cover to protect a $$$ watch.
Hear hear!
Before any new features they need to fix the Wifi feature on the Fenix 6 Pro.
Then custom alerts during coached sessions should work by default or at least be togeled on/off. e.g. Run Walk Run alerts while using coached sessions with Jeff dont work currently which makes the need to using a secondary device.
I just returned my Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar the other week.
I purchased it for for its rich feature set and loved all or most of the features it has. The ability to load music and pair it to wireless earbuds while skiing, hiking, golfing etc was great. So with the current ongoing pandemic, I was unable to use the swim app due to pool closures, cycling or golf features are out of season. As you may have guessed by now I am in Canada, winter here still, trying to change to spring.
What I didn’t like was the ability for the Solar not to fully charge the watch. A fairly expensive gimmick, in my opinion. It may be worth it if it could at least extend the use by 50% or fully charge it. but to add 2 to 3 days at best, not a feature worth the effort. Now if Garmin could somehow make it fully charge the unit or use a combination of solutions that would be a game changer and put everyone else to shame. So in a nutshell, a better reliable charging system that can actually fully charge the unit, maybe a small nuclear battery! I do not want to be tied to a charge port, maybe a wireless charging pad that you can have on your desk and charge as you work or type… humm! Until that nuclear or 10 year plus battery is available, it could be the new feature we need.
Zoom was the other really annoying feature, not the video app but the zoom feature in the hike or trails app. Using the Up/Down buttons was soo bad and slow…it made me crindge. Maybe a rotating outer bezel with a faster/zipper processor configured to do just that would be the right solution. The touch screen would also work and probably be better, especially if it had a lock feature for those activities that demanded it.
The other issue I found was the screen resolution. I did pick the 6X Pro Solar for its size and was not overwhelmed by its size or weight. But I thought the screen was washed out and could use a refresh. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the reflective nature of the screen technology and its ability to use minimal power and that is what attracted me to the Fenix 6X in the first place. But it seemed so bland compared to all the other smart watches out there. The screen type and resolution are certainly a tricky combination to pick and find a sweet spot. Battery life, easy charging, being quick and responsive to inputs and the best screen resolution in high or low light conditions are probably more important than a lot of the other options. But being able to keep these with a higher priority than others is what I want in a smart watch.
So until the next break thru, I will have to dig out my old Timex… oh would you look at that! It’s still ticking and hasn’t been worn in 3 years… 🙂
Cheers 🙂
Fenix 7 – Oktober 2021.
How do you know? I really hope it is true 🤞🏼
Hi All,
I am in a bit of a dilemma right now and would love your opinion on it. Question is – Wait for Fenix 7, or go for Fenix 6X now.
I had the fenix 5. Lost it in Thailand while jumping off of a boat, back in 2018. Had a fenix 3 before that.
Been using an apple watch since then. But i really miss the fenix watches, their versatility, their sturdiness and sports fitness capabilities.
I am into Crossfit primarily and additionally do 10k m runs. I do hikes and bicycling and other sports stuff for fun.
Do i wait for the fenix 7 series, or do I buy the Fenix 6X Sapphire now? (Because that is a nearly 2 year old watch now)
Fenix 7 is about 6 months away. Forerunner 955 probably a few months off.
Imagine Kenetic charging along with solar. Now that would increase battery life.
Fenix 7 comes in Feb./2022!
Inväntar 7an med stor förväntan.
Min Fenix3a har varit helt fantastisk på alla sätt. Den har gjort sitt jobb med beröm. Är väl nu på sista tiden den börjat dumma sig.
Önskemål…
USB-C,,,,, eller varför då.. funkar ju bra med laddhållaren som är till Fenix3an
512Gb Ram. För go music/talböcker/banor
Sviiinlång batteri tid 😉 typ någon månad eller så.
Kenetic laddning.
INGA GOLF BANOR eller andra inlagda banor…. sånt extra kan var och en ladda hem när man så vill nyttja dessa.
Pekskärm som man kan stänga av vid behov.
Shapphire glas med SOLCELL. För utan detta så är klockan helt värdelös. Tänker på alla tokiga cykel vurpor som min Fenix3a har varit med. Inte en repa på alla dessa år. Imponerade.
+++WIRELESS CHARGING – PLS
I own a fenix 6x pro since Dec ’19.
I am very satslisfied and have no issues now.
I think those many Software Updates eliminated many issues that were apparent at Start.
What I would like to see with F7 is more Evolution than Revolution :
– Sun Power in all Series plus bigger battery.
– A GARMIN Brand Klett Band for 26mm x Model!
– A ECG Sensor (since All other important smartwatch do have that in 2022)
– More bright backround light
– Make it thinner but NOT smaller…. We need to read the maps!
– Pls DO NOT GO AWAY, from military style…. I Do Not want a Lifestyle hipster style watch,
But a tough military Standard working Maschine.
– better contrast for Display colour would be nice, but Pls. No OLED or other battery sucking displays.
– A cheaper, Lighter big x Version with carbon case, solar, and drab green or Sand colour Option…. Army personell would love it.
But I Do Not think my wishes will come true.
Maybe they will create features we Do Not think of.
If F7 will be a Lifestyle watch more than tough military,. and with more smartwatch than sport/military, I will stay with my 6x pro for longer time.
Wireless charging is a must. I will not upgrade my Fenix 5X without wireless charging, regardless of any other features added.
Make it attractive as a $1000.00 watch should be. Better screen without sacrificing to much battery life. Vo2 max for all activities.
WIRELESS CHARGING_???
I do have wireless charge on several devices I use but I avoid it due to the excess heat they produce which kills long term battery life. This technology has its drawbacks so for me its not a must.
Thermal (matrix system) and solar, so we wont need to charge the watch anymore.
Would LOVE to see Garmin adding a camera features to the Fenix series! As a long-distance runner I like to go light and don’t take my phone with me. Especially with the Fenix, which has navigation, music and NFC pay built in. Still the ability to share beautiful Impressions from runs on Strava/Social Media would come as a killer USP vs competition.
Hope they sort out the inconsistent HR issues. Take a look at Garmin forum, over 100 pages customers complaining and Garmin remaining silent.
I Hope that the General Design will stay (in different sizes) , a Real MIL and sports Style! …
Sports people, aviatiors, Outdoor people, military Personel… alll use the fenix Plattform.
Mostly they Do Not want an “Opera or VIP Party style golden diamond fenix” , but a BIG screen easy readable sports watch with LOTS of features and battery Power.
So there are only three wishes for me, that If beeing Built, would bring ne to buy a garmin 7 (since I am quite happy with my Fenix 6X Pro)
1) Advanced Solar Power for ALL Fenix 7 Variant.
2) a liitle bigger battery für even more usage time.
3) MIP Display with Higher Resolution to show pictures from messengers and more natural watchfaces.
4) ECG Sensor like in Apple watch for total health control.
Patrick. / Germany
The only change I care about would be wireless charging. LTE? I am not paying for a damned cellular plan for a watch unless I never need a phone again. AMOLED screen? If the battery life decreases this watch loses its killer feature. Maybe work to improve the app capability? That would be useful and stay inline with the niche that this watch is for. But wireless charging would be great because I charge when I get up to take a shower and my wife is still asleep and sometimes that is a challenge. I charge for 20 minutes a day and due to the stellar battery life that makes this watch last for a long time. When I had an Apple watch it needed a full charge every day and that is why I left it for the Fenix 6. I don’t want a better screen unless it does not impact battery life at all.
A camera for sure. Running without your phone but still take those animals on the way home with your fotomodus
Totally agree!
Has somebody news about Fenix 7 release? Thanks 😊
I want wireless charging! And a slightly sharper/brighter screen.
Battery life approaching or surpassing Enduro, with a slightly decreased diameter and w Wifi
More accurate GPS speed detection, the constant changes with up to 0.5 mi variability drives me crazy on my F5
Improved ECG and pulse ox functions
Improved solar charging functions
I’m not well to do but I would spend 1000-1200 $ for such a model
My biggest issue with Garmin is that while their devices are always technically amazing, their digital landscape is a wasteland. There are 28 downloadable Apps on Garmin’s website and not one of them works properly. They’ve always had unashamedly awful UI, which users were prepared to tolerate because of all the other functionality and a certain brand appeal. That’s starting to wear really thin, though, particularly when other devices are so much more accessible and easy to use.
Since I lose one of my friends in the tunnel, lack of air to breathe. And since I do some indoor cycling (to prevent Covid-19) for a while and have some issues with carbon dioxide increasingly during the exercise in the closed room under some circumstances, I like Garmin’s next product in the future. To have some feature that warns us when we are in place can cause danger to our life. such as some deathly air pollution, perhaps have Carbon dioxide indicator if at the time it is possible. It can save much life.
I’d like to see a bread baking feature. If it could turn out a nice loaf of rye, I’d be all in.
Garmin 7 (02/2022)
B’en moi je reste à ma Garmin Epix, le modèle Epix 2, me déçois avant sa sortie, rond comme une Fénix.
Je préfère de loin la forme retangulaire, et de plus elle à les fonctions qui m’intéresse. De plus c’est nettement mieux la fonction cardio est autres avec la ceinture HRM-Pro, qui fonctionne parfaitement sur ma Epix de 2015…du coup j’en ai 3.
I need just ABS+GPS +MAPS
NOTHING MORE !
Integrated camera
I have a Fenix 6x Sapphire. My thoughts on a Fenix 7 ….
Firstly what I don’t want:
– touch screen
Secondly, what I do want:
– LTE capability
Also, maintain a hard sapphire glass model. I believe the solar models have a softer i.e. more scratch prone glass.
I use the Fenix for outdoor activities which require a tough watch. Let’s keep it that way! Please don’t turn it into an Apple Watch (I have one mainly for its LTE capability and integration with my iPhone).