When you look at the Garmin Fenix 7 vs Fenix 6, you will find subtle yet key differences between their older and their newest multisport GPS smartwatch. The differences aren’t something you may notice right off the first wear but can affect how the watch feels and looks on your wrist.
Think of the Fenix 7 as the Fenix 6’s sleeker, slightly more stylish younger cousin. Garmin’s latest multisport watch takes all the wonderful fitness, health, and design features from the Fenix 6, and place them in a more compact package as the Fenix 7. The new 7 series may be more compact in design, but its addition of touch screen controls makes everything a bit easier and faster to use on the watch. Even when comparing the 51mm X models from each series, the Fenix 7X still comes in with a thinner bezel, a lighter weight, and smoother-looking band.
Both Garmin Fenix models offer the same size options and upgrade options: 42mm, 47mm, and 55mm, with the options of Solar or Solar Sapphire upgrades. They also have the same storage capabilities in these same sizes, with 32 GB of memory, and the ability to store up to 2000 songs on your wrist.
The connectivity features are the same as well; however, there was no LTE capabilities added to the Fenix 7 series. Still, you can get a great Garmin LTE watch in their Forerunner 945. But the Fenix 6 and 7 both offer smart notifications, Garmin Pay, and Garmin Connect IQ.
Overall, the Fenix series has made itself known as a premium multisport watch. Garmin did this by providing users reliable GPS and tracking, design options comparable with Apple or Samsung, and by making durable sports watches. There are, of course, price differences between the Fenix 6 and 7; you can expect to drop about $200-$300 more on the Fenix 7. Is it worth it? We’ll tell you!
| Garmin Product | Supplier | |
| Fenix 7 | Amazon | View Offer |
| Fenix 7 | eBay | View Offer |
| Fenix 7 | Garmin | View Offer |
| Fenix 7 | Target | View Offer |
Fenix 6 vs 7 Smartwatch Features
Safety Features
Both smartwatches offer Garmin’s full lineup of Safety and Assistance features. For your safety and wellbeing, Garmin includes:
- Livetrack
- Group Livetrack
- Live Event Sharing
- Incident Detection During Select Activities
- Assistance
Health Monitoring Features
There was only one improvement made in this area for Garmin’s Fenix series. On the Fenix 7, you can now get yourself a Health Snapshot. This neat little monitoring device is also featured on Garmin’s Epix (Gen 2) series, Forerunner 945 LTE, Venu 2, and Venu 2 Plus. The Health Snapshots are meant to give you a quick look at your cardio health by running a two-minute session. Over the two minutes your Fenix 7 Snapshot records Heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), Pulse Ox, respiration, and stress.
Activity & Fitness Features
Garmin improved upon their Workout Profiles you can now get HIIT training. They also added new Running profiles such as Track Running, Virtual Running, and Ultra Running. And in Outdoor Recreation, Garmin added Hunting, Tactical, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing, and Snowshoeing.
The cycling and swimming features, as well as those activity profiles, are the same on both smartwatches. All added activity profiles and workouts are certainly attractive to fitness enthusiasts who are open to trying all sports! The Fenix 7 can even connect to a variety of smart trainers so you can keep you data completely synched across more than just your phone. However, if you can’t fork out the Fenix 7’s price tag, the Fenix 6’s workout profiles are likely enough.
One bonus to having more activity profiles is this means there are more activities in which you can use Garmin’s Safety and Assistance Features. Things like LiveTrack and Incident Detection only work while you’re tracking activities.
GPS Features
GPS is another area in which Garmin made a slight improvement, if you just look closely at the Fenix 7. Both smartwatches are exceptional GPS devices due to their GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO connections. But the Fenix 7 also has MULTI-FREQUENCY POSITIONING. This added positioning is meant to be enabled when it might be more difficult to locate you via satellite—like in extreme weather, or when surrounded by tall building and mountains.
How Much Better is the fenix 7 Battery Life?
On both models, the Solar editions will provide you with significantly better battery life and energy storage from the solar charging. However, the Fenix 7 did make overall improvements on battery life. Your Fenix 7 will last a few days longer in either smartwatch or in GPS mode.
Fenix 7 vs Fenix 6 Design
Size and new Touch Screens
There is no difference between the two smartwatch sizes or screen sizes. However, the Fenix 7 does introduce touchscreen capabilities which the 6 does not have. The touch is responsive and works well, especially on the 7X with the largest screen. If you prefer the button controls, you can disable touch controls. Both the Fenix 6 and 7 come in the following sizes which offer the same resolution on either model:
- 42mm – Resolution: 240×240 pixels
- Screen size: 1.2”
- 47mm – Resolution: 260×260 pixels
- Screen size: 1.3”
- 51mm – Resolution: 280×280 pixels
- Screen size: 1.4”
The weight ranges on the Fenix 6 are quite similar to the Fenix 7. While not an exact match, their weight ranges respectively are 58g-93g, and 58g-98g. One final design introduction on the newer 7 model is a Power Sapphire lens option, furthering the durability of the Fenix 7 series.
And if you want the Garmin Fenix with the absolute most design features possible, you can splurge for the Fenix 7X which boasts an LED flashlight!
Side by Side Comparison:
| Google Fenix 6 | Garmin Fenix 7 | |
| Screen Size | 42,47,51mm | 42,47,51mm |
| Changeable Strap | Yes | Yes |
| Colour Options | Black, Silver & Gold | Black & Silver |
| Sensors | SPO2, Heart Rate | SPO2, Heart Rate, ABC & Temp. |
| Water Resistance | 100 Meters | 100 Meters |
| Operating System | Garmin WatchOS | Garmin WatchOS |
| Battery Life | 14 Days With Solar | 18 Days |
| Touch Screen | No | Yes |
| Starting Price | $599 | $949 |
Fenix 7 vs Fenix 6 Conclusion
Many can agree that the 7 is a big improvement on the 6. The 6 is an excellent watch and is worth every dollar. However, if you can upgrade to the 7 GPS smartwatch, then Garmin has made it worth the extra money. There are many ways in which the 6 and 7 Series are similar, especially when it comes to the overall look, feel, and design of the Fenix smartwatches.
But Garmin continues to improve its fitness watches and health monitoring devices. On the Fenix 7, Garmin did this by improving ease of use, by offering more ways to track your fitness and to stay safe, by extending your watch’s battery life, and Garmin improved their Fenix by adding another layer of satellite positioning.
If you already track workouts, monitor health stats, and are an avid outdoors person, then the Fenix 7 will make a worthy watch for any activity you prefer. If you are newer to wearable tech, then we recommend the Fenix 6 as a better (and less expensive) starter multisport smartwatch.
For a further and more detailed review, read our “Everything you need to know about the Fenix 7″
Follow us on social media to stay up to date with our latest articles
|
Last Updated on January 11, 2023
Bernadette has a bachelor’s degree in Communications from MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (where she lives). She has a passion for writing and we like her contribution and style to our blog. Bernadette loves the outdoors and things like hiking, camping, and biking. Wishing she could travel more.
Bernadette is an editor, writer and proofreader for Superwatches. Currently lives in Alberta Canada.