Epix 2 Pro and Fenix 7 Pro Solar watches were released by Garmin in the last week of May 2023. Both watches are one of the most compelling designs in the contemporary market.
Picking one of these watches is a difficult decision. We compare Epix 2 Pro series smartwatch with the Fenix 7 Pro Solar smartwatch below.
Main differences
The main differences between the Epix 2 Pro and Fenix 7 Pro Solar watches are shared here:
- Fenix 7 Pro Solar is a solar watch that can use sunlight to boost the charge in the battery. Epix 2 Pro is a regular standard edition smartwatch.
- Epix 2 Pro is costlier than Fenix 7 Pro Solar by $100.
- Epix 2 Pro comes with an AMOLED display and Fenix 7 Pro Solar uses the next-generation MIP or memory-in-pixel display.
- Fenix 7 Pro Solar watches offer marginally better battery backup than Epix 2 Pro standard edition. It is almost a 10% incremental backup over the Epix 2 Pro battery backup.
- Fenix 7 Pro Solar comes with preloaded topographical maps, and road and trail maps.
Essentially, you need to decide whether you want a solar watch or a watch with an AMOLED display.
It may be a good idea to mention that the Garmin ECG app support has been added to the Epix 2 Pro and Fenix 7 Pro Solar series smartwatches in October 2023.
Both, Epix 2 Pro Solar and Fenix 7 Pro Solar watches come in sizes of 42 mm, 47 mm, and 51 mm. For keeping the comparison simple and easy to follow, we are comparing Epix 2 Pro 47 mm watch with the Fenix 7 Pro Solar 47 mm watch.
For most core functions, the differences will remain the same for other sizes of the Epix 2 Pro and Fenix 7 Pro smartwatches.
We look at both smartwatches in detail below.
Display
The primary difference in display specifications is the type of display lens used in either watch. Fenix 7 Pro Solar uses Power Glass.
Power Glass is Corning Gorilla Glass superimposed with a layer of Photovoltaic or PV cells. These PV cells use sunlight to convert solar energy into battery charge.
Epix 2 Pro uses Corning Gorilla Glass in the display lens.
Apart from the display lens, the display technology used in Epix 2 Pro is much better. Epix 2 Pro uses an AMOLED display.
The display resolution of Epix 2 Pro is higher than the display resolution offered by Fenix 7 Pro Solar smartwatches.
Due to the AMOLED display, you get to experience a brighter and much-improved display experience. You will be able to use the Always-on-display feature in the smartwatch.
It may be pertinent to mention over here that Always-on-display (AOD) does consume a lot of battery. So, battery drain is a factor that may want to consider while using the AOD feature.
Other display specifications that merit your attention are shared below in a side-by-side comparison.
| Display specifications | Epix 2 Pro (standard edition) | Fenix 7 Pro Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Display lens | Corning Gorilla Glass | Power Glass |
| Display size | 1.3″ or 33 mm | 1.3″ or 33 mm |
| Display type | AMOLED | MIP (Memory in Pixel screen) |
| Display resolution | 416 x 416 pixels | 260 x 260 pixels |
| Color display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| LED Flashlight | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient light sensor | Yes | Yes |
AMOLED display in Epix 2 Pro is a definite improvement and offers much better display experience.
Physical specifications
Epix 2 Pro and Fenix 7 Pro Solar watches do share similarities in hardware and physical specifications of the smartwatches.
The core functionality remains intact on the Epix 2 Pro and Fenix 7 Pro Solar smartwatches. We review the physical specifications of both watches below.
| Specifications | Epix 2 Pro (standard edition) | Fenix 7 Pro Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Watch size | 47 x 47 x 14.6 mm | 47 x 47 x 14.5 mm |
| Thickness | 14.6 mm | 14.5 mm |
| Watch weight | 78 g | 79 g |
| Watch body | Fiber-enforced polymer with stainless steel rear cover | Fiber-enforced polymer with stainless steel rear cover |
| Bezel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Band size (Silicone) | 22 mm | 22 mm |
| Band material | Silicone | Silicone |
| Band material options | Metal, Fabric, Silicone, and Leather | Metal, Fabric, Silicone, and Leather |
| Recommended wrist circumference (Silicone) | 125-208 mm | 125-208 mm |
| Device storage | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Water resistance | 10 ATM (100 Meters) | 10 ATM (100 Meters) |
| Swimming profile | Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Swimming/Running | Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Swimming/Running |
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
| Barometric altimeter | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | Yes | Yes |
| Gyroscope | Yes | Yes |
| Thermometer | Yes | Yes |
| Garmin Elevate Heart Sensor (next gen) | Yes | Yes |
| Pulse Ox SpO2 sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless connectivity | ANT+, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | ANT+, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| NFC Payments | Garmin Pay | Garmin Pay |
| iOS compatible | Yes, iOS 15 or higher | Yes, iOS 15 or higher |
| Android compatible | Yes, Android 7 or higher | Yes, Android 7 or higher |
| GPS Networks | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo |
| Multi-band GPS | Yes | Yes |
| SatIQ technology | Yes | Yes |
| Primary charger | Garmin wire charger | Garmin wire charger |
| Secondary charging | None | Solar charging |
In terms of physical specifications, Epix 2 Pro and Fenix 7 Pro Solar share most attributes.
ECG
The Garmin ECG app received the FDA approval on 12 January 2023. It was subsequently rolled out to the Venu 2 Plus smartwatches.
At launch, Epix 2 Pro and Fenix 7 Pro Solar did not support the Garmin ECG app. Subsequently, support for the Garmin ECG app has been added to the Epix 2 Pro smartwatches and Fenix 7 Pro Solar smartwatches in October 2023.
The Garmin ECG app helps in taking on-demand electrocardiogram readings. This can help in uncovering conditions of irregular heart rhythms. The ECG app can help in detecting conditions of Atrial Fibrillation.
Battery
The battery life of Fenix 7 Pro Solar is almost 10 percent higher than the battery backup offered by the Epix 2 Pro standard edition watch.
On different watch modes, Epix 2 Pro and Fenix 7 Pro Solar offer the following battery backup times.
| Watch mode | Epix 2 Pro backup | Fenix 7 Pro Solar backup |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch mode | Up to 16 days | Up to 18 days/22 days with solar |
| GPS mode | Up to 42 hours | Up to 57 hours/73 hours with solar |
| All Satellite Systems | Up to 32 hours | Up to 40 hours/48 hours with solar |
| All Satellite Systems + Music | Up to 10 hours | Up to 10 hours |
| All Satellite Systems + Multi-band | Up to 20 hours | Up to 23 hours/26 hours with solar |
| Max Battery GPS | Up to 75 hours | Up to 136 hours/289 hours with solar |
| Expedition GPS | Up to 14 days | Up to 40 days/74 days with solar |
| Battery Saver Watch Mode | Up to 21 days | Up to 57 days/173 days with solar |
The battery backup of Fenix 7 Pro Solar is at least 10-20 percent higher than the battery backup of Epix 2 Pro smartwatches.
Solar charging
For the Fenix 7 Pro Solar smartwatch, secondary charging can be completed using solar charging.
However, for solar charging to be effective, you will need to ensure that your watch is exposed to sunlight of 50,000 lux or higher.
You need 3 hours of exposure to bright sunlight for solar charging to make a meaningful impact on your battery charge.
Knowing the caveat for solar charging is important. It does clear up doubts about getting a solar watch or not. The decision should depend upon the time spent outdoors.
For people who stay indoors for most part of the day, solar charging may not make any substantial impact on the battery charge.
Final verdict
Picking one of the Fenix 7 Pro Solar and Epix 2 Pro smartwatches will depend upon your decision regarding solar watch. If you want a solar watch, Fenix 7 Pro Solar is the watch for you.
If you are looking for a watch with a better display experience, Epix 2 Pro is a definite choice of substance.
Suggested reading
It may be worth having a look at the following comparison studies for smartwatches below.
- Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Smartwatches – Information and Features
- Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar vs Fenix 7 Solar
- Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar vs Fenix 7 Pro Solar
- Garmin Epix Pro 2 Sapphire vs Epix 2 Sapphire
- Garmin Epix Pro 2 vs Epix 2
- Garmin Approach S70 47 mm vs Approach S70S 42 mm
- Garmin Venu Sq 2 vs Venu Sq 2 Music
- Garmin Venu Sq 2 vs Vivoactive 4
- Garmin Venu 2 vs Venu Sq 2
- Garmin Forerunner 255 vs Instinct 2