Epix 2 Pro smartwatches were released by Garmin in the last week of May 2023. The 2nd generation Pro series smartwatches have been released as Epix 2 Pro and Epix 2 Pro Sapphire editions.
For this particular discussion, we restrict our focus to the Epix 2 Pro series smartwatches only. We will cover Epix 2 Pro Sapphire watches in another document.
Epix 2 Pro range of smartwatches
Epix 2 Pro smartwatches have been released in three sizes. There is an Epix 2 Pro in 42 mm, 47 mm, and 51 mm sizes.
These watches have similar functionality and features. The underlying difference is in the size and features that ride on the size of the smartwatch.
We look at these three Epix 2 Pro variants more closely. We will cover the primary differences and capabilities of the Epix 2 Pro smartwatches hereunder.
Main differences
The primary differences in the three size variants of the Epix 2 Pro smartwatches are shared below:
- There are obvious size differences that translate into differences in the size of the display screen and the thickness of the watch.
- The bigger-sized Epix 2 Pro smartwatches of 51 mm and 47 mm offer longer battery backup than the smaller-sized 42 mm Epix 2 Pro smartwatch.
- The bigger-sized 51 mm smartwatch variant has the best display resolution on account of the bigger screen area.
The core functionality of all three watches remains solid and uniform.
The most suitable Epix 2 Pro smartwatch for you would be the one that is recommended for your wrist.
We look at some main features and capabilities of the Epix 2 Pro smartwatches below.
New additions and features
The important question is what changed between the Epix 2 series smartwatches and Epix 2 Pro smartwatches.
- Epix 2 Pro series smartwatches come in sizes of 51 mm, 47 mm, and 42 mm. Epix 2 series smartwatches come in a single size of 47 mm. So, we have more size options in the Epix 2 Pro series smartwatches.
- Multi-band GPS has been added to the Epix 2 Pro series. This capability is missing in the Epix 2 smartwatches.
- We now have 32 GB internal storage in the Epix 2 Pro smartwatches. This is double the 16 GB internal storage available in the Epix 2 smartwatches.
- LED Flashlight has been added to the Epix 2 Pro smartwatches.
- Hill score and Endurance score have also been added to the Epix 2 Pro smartwatches.
- The number of profiles or activities has increased in the outdoor recreation profile for the smartwatch user.
The most significant addition to the Epix 2 Pro series smartwatch is the introduction of the multi-band GPS mode for more reliable and accurate GPS data.
Now that we have discussed the differences and additions in the Epix 2 Pro series smartwatches, we will look at the device capabilities below.
Display specifications
The display specifications of the Epix 2 Pro smartwatch show a mature smartwatch with an AMOLED display.
The AMOLED display in the Epix 2 Pro series smartwatches leads to better screen brightness and a clearer screen with a much better display experience.
The AMOLED display also affords an opportunity to use the Always-on-display (AOD) in the Epix 2 Pro smartwatch.
Epix 2 Pro smartwatches are non-solar smartwatches. The watch has a Corning Gorilla Glass display lens.
All the important display specifications of the Epix 2 Pro smartwatches are shared below for ready reference.
| Display specifications | Epix 2 Pro 51 mm | Epix 2 Pro 47 mm | Epix 2 Pro 42 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display lens | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Display size | 1.4″ or 36 mm | 1.3″ or 33 mm | 1.2″ or 30 mm |
| Display type | AMOLED | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Display resolution | 454 x 454 pixels | 416 x 416 pixels | 390 x 390 pixels |
| Color display | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| LED Flashlight | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient light sensor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Always-on-display | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Epix 2 Pro 51 mm smartwatch has a bigger screen and the best screen resolution of 454 x 454 pixels. Other aspects of the display configuration remain unchanged between the three variants.
Physical specifications
In terms of physical specifications, we can say that the 51 mm Epix 2 Pro smartwatch is thicker and bigger than the 47 mm and 42 mm smartwatch variants. The silicone band size for each variant is different.
We look at the main hardware specifications of the Epix 2 Pro 51 mm, 47 mm, and 42 mm smartwatches below.
| Specifications | Epix 2 Pro 51 mm | Epix 2 Pro 47 mm | Epix 2 Pro 42 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watch size | 51 x 51 x 15.0 mm | 47 x 47 x 14.6 mm | 42 x 42 x 14.2 mm |
| Thickness | 15 mm | 14.6 mm | 14.2 mm |
| Weight | 98 g | 78 g | 63 g |
| Watch body | Fiber-enforced polymer with steel rear cover | Fiber-enforced polymer with steel rear cover | Fiber-enforced polymer with steel rear cover |
| Bezel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Band material | Silicone | Silicone | Silicone |
| Band size | 26 mm | 22 mm | 20 mm |
| Band material options | Silicone, Fabric, Metal, and Leather | Silicone, Fabric, Metal, and Leather | Silicone, Fabric, Metal and Leather |
| Recommended wrist circumference for Silicone bands | 127-210 mm | 125-208 mm | 108-182 mm |
| Device storage | 32 GB | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Water resistance | 10 ATM (100 meters) | 10 ATM (100 meters) | 10 ATM (100 meters) |
| Swimming profile | Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Swimming/Running | Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Swimming/Running | Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Swimming/Running |
| Wireless connectivity | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| NFC Payments | Garmin Pay | Garmin Pay | Garmin Pay |
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Barometric altimeter | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gyroscope | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Thermometer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Garmin Elevate Sensor 5th generation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pulse Ox sensor for SpO2 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Primary charger | Garmin wire charger | Garmin wire charger | Garmin wire charger |
| iOS compatible | iOS 15 or higher | iOS 15 or higher | iOS 15 or higher |
| Android compatible | Android 7 or higher | Android 7 or higher | Android 7 or higher |
| Garmin Golf | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The device storage of 32 GB in Epix 2 Pro is handy for mapping and offline music storage. A 100 meters water resistance rating (10 ATM) takes care of swimming and snorkeling effortlessly.
GPS
Epix 2 Pro series smartwatches have in-built support for the GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo GPS networks. There is no support for BeiDou and QZSS as we write this.
However, there has been an interesting and efficient addition to the GPS capability in Epix 2 Pro.
Epix 2 Pro watches come with a multi-frequency positioning sensor. This sensor allows the Epix 2 Smartwatch to offer multi-band or dual-frequency GPS support.
With multi-band GPS, your watch can receive GPS data from multiple satellites at the same time. The feature is useful when the GPS connectivity is poor and the GPS signals are weak.
Weak GPS connectivity can be experienced in remote areas or in dense areas with tall buildings.
During times of poor GPS connectivity, you can get GPS data from multiple satellites.
The multi-band GPS improves GPS data reliability, accuracy, and dependability for athletes and triathletes.
Multi-band GPS in the Epix 2 Pro series smartwatches is a game-changing development for improved GPS performance.
SatIQ technology
Multi-band GPS improves GPS performance. However, the downside to using multi-band GPS is that it puts a heavy drain on the battery.
To offset the high battery drain on the multi-band GPS mode, Garmin has added a SatIQ sensor on the Epix 2 Pro smartwatches.
SatIQ is a thinking or intelligent technology. SatIQ helps in optimizing battery usage by managing the multi-mode GPS.
SatIQ will automatically toggle on or off the multi-band GPS mode. If the GPS signal is weak, SatIQ will turn on the multi-band GPS mode.
As and when the GPS connectivity improves, SatIQ will automatically turn off the multi-band GPS mode and revert to the simple GPS mode.
SatIQ helps Garmin in beating battery drain associated with the multi-band GPS mode.
Together with multi-band GPS mode, SatIQ technology helps in providing optimum battery performance and GPS performance in Epix 2 Pro smartwatches.
ECG and Health tracking
Epix 2 Pro smartwatches come with the next-generation optical heart rate sensor. At the time of launch, there was no ECG (Electro Cardiogram) functionality. However, support for the Garmin ECG app was added to Epix 2 Pro series smartwatches in October 2023.
The ECG app helps in taking electrocardiogram readings on Epix 2 Pro series smartwatches. This helps in detecting heart conditions of irregular rhythm or Atrial Fibrillation.
You could take ECG readings and share with a medical practitioner.
The Garmin ECG app was approved by the FDA on January 12, 2023. Subsequently, it was added to the Venu 2 Plus series smartwatches. Epix 2 Pro series and Fenix 7 Pro series smartwatches received the product update and support for the Garmin ECG app in October 2023.
Epix 2 Pro does offer all the major health tracking features.
Some of these health tracking features are mentioned for all the Epix 2 Pro models below.
| Health features | Epix 2 Pro 51 mm | Epix 2 Pro 47 mm | Epix 2 Pro 42 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Respiration tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hydration | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Women’s Health | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygenation tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep monitoring | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stress monitoring | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Body Battery scores | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Endurance score
Garmin has introduced the Endurance score in the Epix 2 Pro series. Endurance score is a dynamic number that strives to indicate your capability of performance. It reflects your ability to engage in physical activity.
The Endurance score number is calculated based on your heart rate data, training data, and other metrics.
Since the Endurance score is a dynamic number, it changes rapidly based on the preparedness for physical activity.
Hill score
Hill score is another addition to the Epix 2 Pro smartwatch. Hill score trackings your ability to go uphill.
Hill score is a dynamic number that is calculated based on heart rate data, training data, volumetric oxygen (VO2) and other health metrics.
Hill score is a reliable indicator of your ability to climb hills at any given point in time.
You can read more about the Hill score on this page on the Garmin website.
Battery
The 51 mm variant of the Epix 2 Pro smartwatch offers longer backup than the 42 mm smartwatch. On different watch modes, Epix 2 Pro smartwatches offer different battery backup times.
The details of Epix 2 Pro smartwatch battery backups for the three variants are shared below for ready reference.
| Watch mode | Epix 2 Pro 51 mm backup | Epix 2 Pro 47 mm backup | Epix 2 Pro 42 mm backup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch mode | Up to 31 days | Up to 16 days | Up to 10 days |
| GPS mode | Up to 82 hours | Up to 42 hours | Up to 28 hours |
| All Satellite Systems | Up to 62 hours | Up to 32 hours | Up to 21 hours |
| All Satellite Systems + Music | Up to 17 hours | Up to 10 hours | Up to 6 hours |
| All Satellite Systems + Multi-band | Up to 38 hours | Up to 20 hours | Up to 13 hours |
| Max Battery GPS | Up to 145 hours | Up to 75 hours | Up to 49 hours |
| Expedition GPS | Up to 27 days | Up to 14 days | Up to 9 days |
| Battery Saver Watch Mode | Up to 41 days | Up to 21 days | Up to 14 days |
The difference in battery life of the 51 mm Epix 2 Pro and 42 mm Epix 2 Pro can be attributed to the bigger size and bigger battery of the 51 mm smartwatch.
Music
Epix 2 Pro smartwatches have a full suite of music functions. All three variants of the Epix 2 Pro smartwatch offer the following music features:
- Epix 2 Pro smartwatches have 32 GB internal storage. This storage can be used to store offline music content.
- Epix 2 Pro can be used to manage audio content on the device storage directly.
- Epix 2 Pro can be also used to control and play music on the paired smartphone.
- You can also download the Spotify app from the Connect IQ store for streaming music through Spotify. You will need a proper subscription to Spotify to make use of the Spotify app on the smartwatch.
- Similar to Spotify, you can download the Deezer app from the Connect IQ store and stream music using Deezer. You require a valid subscription to the Deezer app to use it on the Epix 2 Pro smartwatch.
Costs
- Epix 2 Pro 42 mm and 47 mm variants cost $899.99.
- Epix 2 Pro 51 mm smartwatch comes at a list price of $999.99.
Final verdict
Epix 2 Pro is a complete smartwatch. Depending on your wrist size, you may choose Epix 2 Pro 47 mm or 51 mm smartwatch variant.
The 42 mm variant of Epix 2 Pro is ideal for women. Or, if you have thin wrists, Epix 2 Pro should look absolutely fine.
Compared to the Epix 2 standard edition, you do get some interesting new features that may be worth the extra cost.
- Garmin ECG app
- Multi-band GPS
- SatIQ technology
- LED Flashlight
- Endurance and Hill scores
- Additional device storage
Epix 2 Pro smartwatch, therefore, is a compelling choice for an all-around complete smartwatch.
Suggested reading
You may also like to read more smartwatch comparison studies given below. Do leave us your valuable feedback to help us in creating more useful content.
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