Garmin Fēnix 7: a powerful and durable smartwatch

The smart watches little by little they begin to multiply and become present on the wrists of more users. It’s a matter of getting out. Only in 2021, probably due to the impetus that the pandemic has given to the consumption of gadgets and technology in general, the smartwatch market grew by 24%. Apple continues to largely dominate the global market, which sees overall gains from almost all manufacturers, including Samsung, Amazfit and of course Garmin, followed distantly by Huawei, Fitbit and Xiaomi, among others. To get an idea, between January and March of this year alone, more than 40 million watch units were packed, the highest figure ever achieved by this type of watch. gadgets.

The market is getting stronger every day in terms of models, and several brands will add watches to their catalog during 2022, including – it seems – a Google bracelet model. But it was Garmin that had an interesting expansion. They started with rather expensive smartwatches, aimed at very specific audiences such as aviators and divers, but today the North American brand has expanded its portfolio to a wider audience and has done quite well. , with a growth of 35% and positioning itself as the sixth brand in the world.

What are the advantages of having a smartwatch on the wrist? There are some. One is security: the ability to be on the street and control everything from the wristband can prevent phones being stolen and thrown away. But perhaps the most important thing is the vast ability they give us to control our well-being and physical condition, in addition to being an excellent guide when it comes to performing physical activities or monitoring our vital signs and anticipate any health contingencies.

In this sense, Garmin has skilfully reinvented itself from its original business —GPS— and has successfully turned in recent years to the world of portable. From a focus on professional niches, the brand has now expanded to a mass audience, although still with the highest quality ahead.

Not long ago they launched the seventh version of their line prime Fēnix, which in the long run is the best combination of functionality, durability and metric offered by the brand. Already last year we were able to comment on the Garmin Instict Solar, with a similar bill, solar charging and thousands of possibilities for monitoring. The Garmin Fēnix 7 is similar but better. We are going to see in detail the medium model, among the three that are available (7S / 7 / 7X), with different diameters and prices.

• Mass : 79g
• Dimensions : 47 x 47 x 14.5mm
• Filter : 1.3″ tactile and transflective
• Resolution : 260 x 260 pixels
• connectivity : Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and ANT+
• Memory : 16 GB
• sensors : 3-axis barometric altimeter, GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, compass and accelerometer
• Belt : 20, 22 or 26mm

As is often the case when you take a Garmin watch out of its box, the first thing that stands out is its design and its crown. The model exudes style. The Fēnix 7 has a large 1.3″ screen and a 47 mm reinforced polymer base, which meets US military standards for resistance to water, shocks or extreme temperatures. It is a robust and bulky watch, with a stainless steel crown, but very elegant. By default, the model’s strap is made of silicone, although as a good wearable it can be interchangeable depending on the occasion.

Unlike the Instinct or even its predecessor, the Fēnix 6, the positive point of this model is that in addition to having five buttons (two on the right side, three on the left), its screen is touch-sensitive, this which complements very well the navigation between the different modes, functions and selections offered by the watch (even with sweaty fingers).

Once put on the wrist, it is comfortable and firm. It doesn’t feel heavy (less than 100 grams) and is still nice to look at when checking the time. Unlike other smartwatches, the design of elements, metrics and data offered by the screen can be changed to suit the user, but there are no “faces” or “dials ” that can be downloaded from the application store, for example. , something that other brands and models offer in abundance. But in the end it is only a cosmetic detail.

The Fēnix 7, as you would expect, offers an overwhelming number of sports routines, ranging from the most common – cycling, running or swimming – to the most elaborate disciplines you can think of, including climbing, skiing or snow walking. For each of them, it provides detailed and exact measurements—calories burned, distance covered, heart rate, altitude, etc.—, in addition to body resistance and recovery times. Even the paddle is included. For the novice or the curious, there are dozens of suggested daily fitness routines.

As is also tradition, the watch includes the use of satellite GPS systems (GLONASS, Galileo), which offers the most accurate and precise positioning on the market. It shines especially if one goes on an excursion, climbs a hill or gets lost in the middle of a forest. In addition, topographic maps of more than 42,000 golf courses, in color, are included.

Meanwhile, in the body tracking section, the system includes constant heart rate monitoring, capable of sending alerts when levels of agitation or stress are detected (even underwater). It also has a sensor to measure oxygen saturation levels and respiratory regularity, in addition to integrating a recording of our food and liquid intake, monitoring of the menstrual cycle and of course an exhaustive control of sleep cycles.

Obviously, a smart watch it’s not if it can’t somehow communicate with the phone. As usual, control from the mobile phone is done via the free downloadable Garmin app, Garmin Login . From there, it is possible to link the clock to all the essential information of the smartphone in order to receive alerts and notifications on the bracelet, whether they are WhatsApp messages, emails or notifications from other applications.

From Garmin Connect, we can dive into all the details regarding the parameters and operation of the watch. It also functions as a control center to examine and manage in detail all the metrics associated with the physical activities carried out, comparing them with those of the previous days.

Now, although Garmin’s app store, Connect IQ Store, does not have an attractive catalog of applications, you can find essential things like Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music or Strava. Additionally, and very important for the future, there is contactless payment through the Garmin Pay app, which supports credit cards and digital wallets from various local banks.

The battery is undoubtedly one of the elements that make this smart watch a single piece. Beyond its lithium battery, the Fēnix 7 also has the ability to recharge using solar power, which greatly extends its durability. Thus, according to the manufacturer, the watch is capable of holding 18 days in mode smart watch —that is, permanently connected to the phone—, 57 hours in GPS mode —the most demanding, recommended only for excursions or outings where there is no signal— and up to almost two month in economy mode. Personally, in the two weeks that I had the opportunity to have it on my wrist, I never felt like having to recharge the battery.

On a personal note, this is one of the most interesting distinctions the watch has: its duration. Considering all the measures that a smart watch is capable of recording today, based on the use of its multiple sensors on the back of these devices, the need to fit it on the wrist 24 hours a day is something totally necessary for many people. Especially those who log their sleep cycles when they sleep, exercise daily, or require remote control of their phone.

And even if it weren’t, today it doesn’t make much sense that the batteries of some smart watches They last so little before you have to charge them. That’s right: it doesn’t take much longer than thirty minutes to reach 100% and you could recharge them by taking a shower or watching a movie. But for a smartwatch, that’s not exactly the idea. We hope to have it as long as possible. And Garmin knew how to do it. In fact, at this point, all smart watches they should include solar charging among their features.

The Garmin Fēnix 7 is probably one of the most advanced smartwatches we’ve had the pleasure of using. From its design and comfortable posture to its multiple and highly detailed metrics, sports activity reports and battery life, the watch performs optimally for all types of performance data and reviews. . Without a doubt, it’s an attractive device to use and show off.

As massive as its usability and looks have become, it has to be said that this is a watch that is still aimed at fans of sports (extreme, even) and outdoor activities. If you’re not one of those people, chances are the watch is underused. Because beyond everyday use – where you have no problem – the Garmin Fēnix 7 guarantees to be the ideal companion for great outdoor adventures.

Note: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

*Prices for products in this item are updated as of April 26, 2022. Values ​​and availability may change.