Getting started with the Garmin Fenix ​​7

The Garmin Fenix ​​7 in a nutshell

The Garmin Fenix ​​7 is designed for anyone who loves competition and wants to challenge themselves to reach new heights, whether it's a bike race, a half-marathon, an Ironman or a grueling session of CrossFit. The Fenix ​​7 doesn't assume you've already established a comprehensive training plan and know exactly how to balance work and recovery. It provides you with tools to help you understand your current fitness level, set a realistic goal, and train effectively to achieve it.

This new model packs the same advanced training and workout tracking modes that made the Fenix ​​6 the best multisport watch around in 2019. It also introduces a few new features that make it all more accessible to users neophytes as initiates.

These include a new real-time stamina meter that shows how your energy drops during a workout, so you can adjust your efforts accordingly. Plus an on-screen race predictor that estimates how your current training regimen will affect your 5k, 10k and half marathon run times.

The Fenix ​​7 has a similar rugged design to its predecessor, but the body is now thinner. And, although the watch is still equipped with a transflective display with pixel memory (which consumes less energy than AMOLED), it is now touch sensitive.

A watch like the Garmin Fenix ​​7 takes time to be thoroughly evaluated - it appears so packed with training tools that you have to use it for an extended period of time to judge it fairly. We won't give our final rating until after testing the watch for a few days, but this hands-on test should give you a first impression of its day-to-day capabilities.

Price and release date

The Garmin Fenix ​​7 series was launched on January 18, 2022 and can be purchased directly from Garmin's online store. Prices start at €699.99 for the standard version. The top-end Fenix ​​7X Sapphire Solar version costs €999.99.

That's a significant increase over the Fenix ​​6, which started at €599.99 when it launched in 2019. However, that's significantly less than the premium Garmin Epix watch, which launched the same day from €899.99.

Design

The Fenix ​​7 is available in three sizes (42mm, 47mm and 51mm), with standard, Solar and Sapphire Solar variants. We tested the Sapphire Solar Edition, which is the first watch that combines the benefits of sunlight-catching Power Glass with a tough crystal.

The watch we reviewed has a graphite gray titanium case and a black silicone strap, but other colors will be available, as well as different options for the three sizes sold. The silicone strap is a good choice for sports enthusiasts, as it is easy to clean. But you can also get a pack containing an additional leather or woven strap for everyday use.

The Fenix ​​7 Sapphire Solar weighs 73g with the silicone strap attached, and 50g without. It's almost exactly the same as the Fenix ​​6 Solar, which weighs 72g with its strap, and 49g without. It's impressive that Garmin has managed to keep the weight consistent while dramatically increasing battery space and fully improving the display technology.

The Fenix ​​7 interface will be immediately familiar to Fenix ​​6 users. It consists of five physical buttons and a touchscreen that automatically locks during activity tracking to avoid interruptions or cancellations accidental activities. If you'd rather stick with the buttons, you can opt to disable the touchscreen altogether. It is also possible to deactivate it during your sleeping hours to avoid accidental contacts at night. However, we did not encounter any problem of this order during our nights spent with the latter on the wrist.

Rather than equipping the Fenix ​​7 with an AMOLED screen like that of the Venu 2 and Epix watches, Garmin opted for a transflective screen with pixel memory. It's a wise choice that preserves the level of autonomy, even if the screen is not as bright as we would have liked.

The display remains easy to read in most lighting conditions, but we found it to be a bit lacking in contrast compared to watches like the Garmin Instinct Solar, and we often had to use the backlight Consequently. This is likely due to the Instinct having a monochrome display, while the Fenix ​​7 offers a color display.

The Fenix ​​7 uses the same proprietary USB cable as all other Garmin watches released over the past two years. It may disappoint those hoping for contactless charging this time around, but the cable is easy to use and plugs securely into the back of the watch.

The Fenix ​​7 is waterproof to a depth of 100m, making it suitable for pool and open water swimming, as well as activities like kayaking, windsurfing and paddleboarding ( which all have their own profile). For diving, on the other hand, you will need a specialized swim watch like the Garmin Descent Mk2.

Battery

Most of Garmin's high-end sports watches also come in solar-powered versions, and the Fenix ​​7 is no exception. The model we tested featured the company's Power Glass, which harvests energy throughout the day to keep the watch's battery topped up. You'll still need to plug the watch in from time to time, but the solar glass extends the level of battery life considerably.

Garmin estimates that the Fenix ​​7X Solar can last up to five days in smartwatch mode, and up to five weeks with GPS on. That's assuming at least three hours a day of decent sun exposure, but as we tested the watch in January in the UK it often received significantly less.

After a week of regular use, with GPS checked at least once a day, nighttime blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring, and backlight activation, the Fenix ​​7 Sapphire Solar still had 10 days of autonomy. The economy mode setting increased that battery life to over a month. You can turn economy mode on and off on the watch itself, or make more specific settings through the Garmin Connect mobile app, disabling certain metrics feedback.

It is now easier to see the remaining charge level expressed as a percentage; One of our main complaints with the Fenix ​​6 Solar was that you couldn't see the remaining power measured in days. It's a welcome little bonus.

Key Features

The Garmin Fenix ​​7 has all the sensors you'd expect from a high-end smartwatch, including the company's latest Elevate 4 optical heart rate monitor : an altimeter, a compass, an SpO2 sensor and a temperature sensor.

SpO2 monitoring can run continuously, overnight, or only on demand during spot checks. The Garmin Fenix ​​6 recently got a firmware update that warns you if you move your wrist too much while the watch takes a blood oxygen reading - and it's a feature you'll also find on the Fenix ​​7.

When it comes to travel, the Fenix ​​7's multi-band GPS and mapping prove excellent. The watch recorded our pre-measured 5km test route to within 50 metres, which is a margin of error easily explained by using public footpaths rather than a track. You can also use the watch for your daily commute, so you don't have to take out your smartphone. The Fenix ​​7 can even highlight all your geographical points of interest, such as a store or a cafe. It's very well thought out and it makes the Fenix ​​7 a watch more suitable for urban use than for sports.

If you're tired of your usual running, biking, or walking routes, you can use Garmin Connect's Route Builder to create new ones. Simply select a starting point, distance and general orientation (north, south, east or west) and the app generates a suitable route in seconds. You can then sync it with your Fenix ​​7, which will give you turn-by-turn directions during your route.

There's also Garmin's hugely useful TracBack feature, which lets you mark your starting point and return to it once you're ready to finish your walk, bike ride or run. It's ideal if you want to go on an adventure, although if you're hiking or orienteering you should always carry a paper map and a compass with you; The Fenix ​​7's multi-band GPS is excellent, but no device is foolproof.

The Fenix ​​7 has a dedicated storage space for your music library. You can also use it to listen to playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks through your smartphone's default media player.

When you're on the go, you can use Garmin Pay to make contactless payments in stores or on select public transportation. Unfortunately, our bank is not supported and we were unable to test this feature.

One of the features sorely lacking in the Fenix ​​7 is the microphone in the new Garmin Venu 2 Plus, which allows you to receive phone calls and use your smartphone's voice assistant right from your wrist . This is an extremely handy feature, particularly for sports enthusiasts, and we're crossing our fingers that Garmin will introduce it at a later date in a Garmin Fenix ​​7 Plus.

Fitness features

Fenix ​​7's enhanced training tools help you balance effort and recovery. They make the abstract concept of training load easy to understand. It's still a watch designed for serious athletes, but Garmin's advanced features are now more accessible for beginners and recreational athletes.

Perhaps the best example is this real-time endurance tool, which shows how much “fuel” you have left to complete your workout. This allows you to avoid crashing and more accurately determine when to turn around during an out-and-back run.

Here's a handy add-on that's extremely easy to use and accurately reflects your energy levels based on your training load. With tired legs, our stamina was depleted much faster than when we were fresh, and we were able to adjust our training accordingly.

The watch's heart rate monitor is meant to be extremely responsive, making it a great watch for HIIT training (which is now available as an activity profile). A colored bar at the top of the watch screen allows you to see your heart rate at all times, and therefore increase the effort when you want to take it to the next level. Here, the effects are immediately visible.

Once you've completed your activity, the Garmin Connect app shows you how your endurance has decreased and if your effort is actually meeting your potential. This is another handy piece of information that lets you know if you're pushing hard or holding back to avoid fatigue.

Another new motivational tool is the Run Predictor, which uses your current performance to estimate how long it will take you to complete a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Marathon based on your current physical condition. It's only an estimate, but a graphical diagram showing how your expected time changes based on your training can really galvanize your efforts. All of this information is available right on your wrist, so there's no need to dive into Garmin Connect to take it into account.

You can monitor your seven-day training load at a glance on the watch face, with guidance on whether you need to increase the intensity, ease off or stay steady to get results optimal.

The Fenix ​​7 isn't just a running watch - it also has an impressive set of tools for cyclists, and can be connected to the company's range of cycle computers. We will test its specific functions in more depth very soon.

Sleep tracking is equally impressive, accurately detecting changes recorded between going to bed and getting up, events that sports watches can't quite distinguish. Every morning, you'll receive a sleep score, along with tips on how to get better rest. This data will also be included in the “body battery”, an indicator that determines how you balance effort and recovery.

Companion app

Like all Garmin watches, the Fenix ​​7 syncs with the Garmin Connect app for iOS and Android. Pairing the watch is a snap, and the watch automatically syncs data every time you do a workout or open the app. If you are upgrading from an older Garmin device, all data will be seamlessly consolidated.

Garmin Connect is one of the best-developed fitness apps to date, and puts a lot more information at your fingertips than Huawei Health, or even the official Coros app. All of your most recent stats (like heart rate, workouts, sleep, and menstrual cycle) are displayed on a central dashboard that you can rearrange and customize at will. Don't want to see your step count? Just drag it to the right to make it disappear.

If you tap on any of these stats, you can explore the data in more detail. Each graph and table is accompanied by an information panel that details exactly what information is of interest and how you can use it. The app also provides suggestions, if any, so you can improve your workout habits.

Open the app's main menu and you'll find a wide range of additional tools, all specifically designed for exercisers. For example, there's an equipment tracker that lets you know how long you've been using your pair of shoes and when it's time to replace them. It is also possible to define emergency contacts, alerted if the Fenix ​​7 detects an accident.

There are customizable training plans for runners and cyclists, which set you certain sessions to perform during the week and adapt according to your performance. As well as various training sessions led by a coach. All of this is free, and there is no indication that Garmin plans to set up a Fitbit Premium type subscription to access it.

You can download third-party apps, new themes, and additional data fields (which are presented on screen during workouts), through a second app called Garmin Connect IQ.

There aren't a huge number of apps to download, but many of the ones available were created by avid Garmin users and fill a real need. Like the Komoot mapping tool, popular with runners and cyclists.

Buy it if...

You want to break new personal bestsThe Garmin Fenix ​​line has always offered some of the best training tools, but the new additions offered by the Fenix ​​7 make it easier to balance effort and recovery, and help you see the long-term benefits of the work you undertake today.

You love the outdoorsFor long camping trips, the excellent level of battery life will keep the watch running for days, even when regularly using power-hungry apps. Its multi-band GPS is extremely accurate, its turn-by-turn navigation and TracBack functions make it easier to navigate unknown routes.

You abuse your watchesThe Fenix ​​7 is built to last, and the new Sapphire Solar version means you no longer have to choose between maximum battery life and durability. You can also be sure that Garmin will continue to support it with firmware updates for many years to come (the Fenix ​​6 received a major update on the eve of the Fenix ​​7's launch).

Don't buy it if...

You are an occasional athleteThe Fenix ​​7 is a real pleasure to use, but it will not be suitable for runners, cyclists and occasional athletes. Other watches in Garmin's lineup, including the entry-level Forerunner 55 and the versatile Venu 2 Plus, are a better choice if you don't intend to upgrade.

You are satisfied with your Fenix ​​6The Fenix ​​6 has stood the test of time and has just received a major software update, which has modernized its training modes and tracking algorithms. The Fenix ​​7 is a premium watch, and while you're convinced you're getting the most out of your current watch's companion tools, it's hard to justify the extra cost.