Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar watches are identical in most features and functionalities. Both smartwatches were released in the year 2022.
We look at the two watches in detail to find the essential points of distinction between the two watches.
Main differences
- Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar differ in size.
- Both watches use the Power Sapphire glass for solar charging.
- Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is costlier than Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar by $100.
- Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar has an LED flashlight.
- The battery backup of Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is marginally higher than the battery backup offered by the Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar.
The good thing is that both watches do support the multi-band GPS and SatIQ technology to give you reliable GPS data.
It boils down to the main difference in the hardware side of both watches. Let us evaluate these essential functions below.
Display
Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar use the same display glass type. Due to the size differences, Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar has a marginally higher display resolution.
Apart from this, there are no differences in the display parameters and features of the Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar.
The display specifications of both watches are shared below.
| Display specifications | Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar | Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Display lens | Power Sapphire | Power Sapphire |
| Display type | MIP (Memory in pixel) | MIP (Memory in pixel) |
| Display size | 1.4″ or 35.4 mm | 1.3″ or 33 mm |
| Display resolution | 280 x 280 pixels | 260 x 260 pixels |
| Color display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| LED Flashlight | Yes | Yes |
Physical specifications
Most differences between the Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar are on account of the actual size of both watches.
The size and associated hardware attributes of both watches are listed below.
| Specifications | Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar | Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Watch size | 51 x 51 x 14.9 mm | 47 x 47 x 14.5 mm |
| Thickness | 14.9 mm | 125-208 mm for a silicone band |
| Watch body | Fiber-enforced polymer with titanium rear cover | Fiber-enforced polymer with titanium rear cover |
| Bezel | Titanium | Titanium |
| Weight | 61 g | 50 g |
| Band size | 26 mm | 22 mm |
| Band material | Silicone, Metal, Fabric, Leather | 127-210 mm for a silicone band |
| Recommended wrist circumference | 125-208 mm for a silicone band | 125-208 mm for silicone band |
| Device storage | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Water rating | 10 ATM | 10 ATM |
| Primary charging method | Garmin Plug charger | Garmin Plug charger |
The difference in size is quite pronounced for the Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar. The silicone band of Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is 26 mm in size, compared to the 22 mm band that is the standard for Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar.
There are different band options available for the Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar smartwatches.
Battery
Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar are solar smartwatches. The primary method of charging still remains the plug charger provided by Garmin.
However, secondary or incremental battery charging is provided through solar charging. To be effective, solar charging needs to be done under the sunlight of 50000 lux or higher for a period of 3 hours or more every day.
The size difference leads to the higher battery capacity of the Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar smartwatches.
The details of battery backup for both watches are shared in different watch modes below.
| Watch mode | Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar backup | Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar backup |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch mode | up to 28 days; 37 days with solar | up to 18 days; 22 days with solar |
| Battery saver mode | up to 90 days; 1 year with solar | up to 57 days, 173 days with solar |
| GPS mode without music | Up to 89 hours/122 hours with solar | Up to 57 hours/73 hours with solar |
| All Satellite Systems | Up to 63 hours/77 hours with solar | Up to 40 hours/48 hours with solar |
| All Satellite Systems + Multi-band | Up to 36 hours/41 hours with solar | Up to 23 hours/26 hours with solar |
| All Satellite Systems + Music | Up to 16 hours | Up to 10 hours |
| Max Battery GPS | Up to 213 hours/578 hours with solar | Up to 136 hours/289 hours with solar |
| Expedition GPS | Up to 62 days/ 139 days with solar | Up to 40 days/74 days with solar |
You can notice that the backup offered by Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is almost one and a half times the backup offered by the Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar smartwatch.
Cost
Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar costs $999.99 while the Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar comes at a list price of $899.99. The difference in cost of these two Fenix 7 solar variants is of $100.
Final verdict
For an additional cost of $100, Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar ticks most boxes:
- It is broader
- It has a better battery backup
- The screen size affords a better display resolution and clarity
So, we do suggest giving consideration to the Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar over the Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar on account of the reasons mentioned above.