Epix 2 and Fenix 7 are premium watches made by Garmin. These smartwatches were released in 2022.
Sapphire glass watches are special, and therefore, we look at Epix 2 Sapphire and Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar smartwatches in this comparison.
The focus remains on finding the main feature and functionality differences. Alongside, we also look at the various capabilities of both watches.
We evaluate Epix 2 Sapphire and Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar watches below. Both watches come at the same list price of $999.99.
Main differences
Things that work in favor of the Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar watch in comparison with Epix 2 Sapphire watches:
- Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is a solar watch.
- It uses a Power Sapphire glass while the Epix 2 Sapphire uses the normal Sapphire glass.
- Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is broader than Epix 2 Sapphire Solar.
- Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar has a bigger display than Epix 2 Sapphire Solar.
- Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar has a much better battery life than Epix 2 Sapphire Solar. Part of this can be attributed to the solar charging on the watch.
Things that work in favor of Epix 2 Sapphire edition watches are:
- Epix 2 Sapphire Solar watch has an AMOLED display. Compared to the MIP display of Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar, this is a significant improvement.
- Epix 2 Sapphire Solar watch has an ambient light sensor.
Display
The display experience of the Epix 2 Sapphire edition watch is better than the display experience of the Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar.
The improved display has been made possible by the use of an AMOLED display. The distinct advantages of AMOLED display are:
- AMOLED display improves the display resolution by a significant number. Epix 2 Sapphire has a display resolution of 416 x 416 pixels and Epix 2 Sapphire has a display resolution of 280 x 280 pixels.
- Epix 2 Sapphire comes with always on display mode (AOD). Always on display does consume battery at a brisk rate.
Other display specifications of both watches are shared below.
| Display specifications | Epix 2 Sapphire | Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Display lens | Sapphire glass | Power Sapphire glass |
| Display size | 1.3″ or 33 mm | 1.4″ or 35.56 mm |
| Display type | AMOLED | MIP (Memory-in-pixel) |
| Display resolution | 416 x 416 pixels | 280 x 280 pixels |
| LED Flashlight | No | Yes |
| Color display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Pixel density | 350 ppi | 283 ppi |
Epix 2 Sapphire has a much better display experience, screen brightness and display clarity than Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar. The AMOLED display of Epix 2 Sapphire is a superior display technology.
Physical specifications
Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is a broader watch with a bigger display screen than Epix 2 Sapphire smartwatch. We look at the various hardware specifications of Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and Epix 2 Sapphire watches below.
| Specifications | Epix 2 Sapphire | Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Watch size | 47 x 47 x 14.5 mm | 51 x 51 x 14.9 mm |
| Thickness | 14.5 mm | 14.9 mm |
| Weight | 47 g | 61 g |
| Watch body material | Fiber-enforced polymer with titanium rear cover | Fiber-enforced polymer with titanium rear cover |
| Bezel | Titanium | Titanium |
| Band size | 22 mm | 26 mm |
| Band material | Silicone | Silicone |
| Band material options | Silicone, metal, fabric, leather | Silicone, metal, fabric, leather |
| Colors available | Carbon gray titanium | Gray titanium, Blue titanium and Black titanium |
| Water rating | 10 ATM | 10 ATM |
| Device storage | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Primary charging method | Garmin Plug Charger | Garmin Plug Charger |
| Secondary charging method | Not available | Solar charging |
| Recommended wrist circumference (Silicone band) | 125-208 mm | 127-210 mm |
| Recommended wrist circumference (Fabric band) | 132-210 mm | 135-213 mm |
| Recommended wrist circumference (Leather band) | 132-210 mm | 135-213 mm |
| Recommended wrist circumference (Metal band) | 132-215 mm | 135-225 mm |
There are not many hardware differences between Epix 2 Sapphire and Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar watches.
Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar has a bigger screen and is a bigger watch than Epix 2 Sapphire watch.
Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar has more color options than Epix 2 Sapphire for the titanium bezel on the watch.
Battery
Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar has better battery backup. Solar charging can further boost the battery charge backup of the Fenix 7X Sapphire solar watch.
We look at the battery backup provided by both watches on different watch modes below.
| Watch mode | Epix 2 Sapphire | Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch mode | Up to 16 days (6 days always-on) | Up to 28 days/37 days with solar |
| Battery Saver Watch Mode | Up to 21 days | Up to 90 days/1+ year with solar |
| GPS Only | Up to 42 hours (30 hours always-on ) | Up to 89 hours/122 hours with solar |
| All Satellite Systems | Up to 32 hours (24 hours always-on) | Up to 63 hours/77 hours with solar |
| All Satellite Systems + Multi-band | Up to 20 hours (15 hours always-on) | All Satellite Systems + Multi-band: Up to 36 hours/41 hours with solar |
| All Satellite Systems + Music | Up to 10 hours (9 hours always-on) | Up to 16 hours |
| Max Battery GPS | Up to 75 hours | Up to 213 hours/578 hours with solar |
| Expedition GPS | Up to 14 days | Up to 62 days/ 139 days with solar |
There is quite a bit of difference in battery backup.
However, it would be prudent to know that solar charging will be successful if the underlying conditions are fulfilled:
- you need to be under bright sunlight for at least 3 hours every day so that your solar watch gets exposed to ample sunlight for solar charging to be effective
- watch needs to be exposed to sunlight with a luminosity of 50000 lux or higher
If you spend most part of your day indoors or if your area does not get bright sunlight, solar charging will not be effective.
Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar offers longer battery life than Epix 2 Sapphire. The backup time offered by Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is almost twice the backup offered by Epix 2 Sapphire watches.
Final verdict
I like Epix 2 Sapphire because of the AMOLED display. The screen of Epix 2 Sapphire is much brighter than the Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar watch.
Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is a nice solar watch. If you are looking for a solar watch, Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar should tick most boxes for your next smartwatch.
Suggested reading
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- Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar vs Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar
- Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar vs Fenix 7 Solar
- Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar
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