Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and Epix 2 are premium smartwatches that are designed to provide extreme data for running and fitness activities. Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is the top variant in the Fenix 7X series. Epix 2 is the second generation Epix smartwatch. We look at the key aspects of Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and Epix 2 below.
Price
Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar costs $999.99 and is the top most variant of the Fenix 7 series smartwatches. Epix 2 costs $899.99. The incremental cost of $100 of Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar can be compared against the differential features available on Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar watch.
Display Glass
Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is a solar watch. It can use bright sunshine to charge the battery. The display lens of Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is made of the Power Sapphire glass. Power Sapphire glass, as the name suggests, can act as a solar charger. Power Sapphire glass has a thin layer of silicon on the underlying Sapphire glass. This layer of silicon will convert photons from sunlight into electrons for charging the watch battery.
Epix 2 has a Sapphire glass. Sapphire glass is made of sapphire crystals. Sapphire is considered the second hardest naturally available mineral in the world.
In terms of display glass, the Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and Epix 2 differ in respect of the additional ‘Power’ coating of silicon to make the Sapphire glass ‘photovoltaic’.
Watch body
Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and Epix 2 have titanium bezel. In case of Epix 2, you may have options to choose the watch with DLC coating on titanium, pure titanium bezel or a passivated stainless steel body.
Essentially, you would have multiple bezel material options on Epix 2.
Display
One of the most significant features of Epix 2 is the AMOLED display. Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar continues to make use of the Memory-in-pixel or MIP screens. The MIP screens do use lesser battery. But, the depth and clarity of AMOLED screen will beat the MIP screen any time of the day. With AMOLED screen, you do get an option to use ‘Always on Display’ on the Epix 2 smartwatch.
Another positive thing about AMOLED display is the much improved display resolution of the watch.
- Epix 2 has a display resolution of 416 x 416 pixels. This is inspite of being smaller sized that Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar.
- Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar has a display resolution of 280 x 280 pixels. This is inline with the best that can be achieved on an MIP screen.
In terms of display clarity and depth, Epix 2 will beat Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar any time of the day. The AMOLED screen on Epix is a key differentiating factor between Epix 2 and Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar.
Physical Size
Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is bigger than an Epix 2 smartwatch.
- Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar has a watch size of 51 mm and Epix 2 has a watch size of 47 mm.
- Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar has a display size of around 36 mm and Epix 2 has a display size of 33 mm.
- Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar has a weight of 89 g. Epix 2 is lighter with a weight of 76 g.
With a silicone band, Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is ideal for wrist size between 127-210 mm. Epix 2 is ideal for wrist size between 125-208 mm.
The broader body of Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar affords an opportunity to add a slightly bigger battery on the watch.
Battery
Expectedly, Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar provides higher battery backup than an Epix 2. The fact that it is a solar watch adds to better battery life on the Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar.
- On the smartwatch mode, Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar can last up to 28 days. With solar charging, the battery backup can last up to 37 days. Epix 2 can last for up to 16 days. If you choose to use Always-on-display, the backup time of Epix 2 reduces to 6 days only.
- On the GPS mode, Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar can last up to 89 hours. With solar charging, Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar can last up to 122 hours. Epix 2 can last for up to 42 hours on GPS mode. This can go down to under 30 hours if you use ‘Always-on-display’.
Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is more appropriate for runners and hikers. With adequate sunlight, the battery life on Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar will prolong nicely.
Solar Charging
Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is a solar watch. So, it will use sunlight to boost the battery backup. However, for solar charging to be effective on Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar, you will need to ensure the following:
- You need to be outdoors in bright sunshine for at least 3 hours a day.
- Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar needs bright sunshine of at least 50000 lux for solar charging to make an effective contribution to battery charging.
Therefore, before you decide on Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar, you may want to check for feasible and supporting conditions for solar charging to be effective.
Device Storage
- Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar edition has 16 GB on-device storage.
- Epix 2 has 16 GB on-device storage. The Sapphire edition of Epix 2 has 32 GB on-device storage.
On device storage or internal storage of the watch is useful for the following reasons:
- You can use the watch storage for storing personal audio content. You can even store podcasts on the watch. On-device storage allows offline music listening.
- A higher on-device storage ensures that you can install multiple regions’ topo and trail maps.
- Epix 2 Sapphire edition has 32 GB internal storage. It comes preloaded with trail and topo maps on the watch.
Flashlight
Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar has an LED flashlight. This makes it suitable for outdoor runs, expeditions and hiking trips. At this point, Epix 2 does not have an LED flashlight.
Swimming
Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and Epix 2 are suitable for swimming. Both watches come with swimming profiles for pool swimming and open water swimming.
Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and Epix 2 carry a water resistance rating of 10 ATM. This means that both watches can sustain a depth pressure of 100 meters or 330 feet below water surface level. 10 ATM rating implies that the watch can take a pressure of 10 Atmospheres.
But, both watches are not suitable for deep water sports or snorkeling. For snorkeling or deep sea diving, you should consider a DIVE rate watch like the Garmin Descent series.
Multiband Frequency
Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and Epix 2 have an in-built chip that supports multiband frequencies. The chip is called the multi-frequency positioning sensor. The sensor allows you to take frequency from remote satellites on the L1 and L5 bands.
Multimode frequency gives you high precision GPS data, especially when GPS signals are severely degraded. Multimode frequency is a sought after feature of athletes, trail runners, hikers and triathletes.
Both, Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and Epix 2 will offer highly accurate GPS data.
Golf
Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and Epix 2 watches provide full Golf support. The Garmin AutoShot feature is also a part of the offering. Both watches come with 42000 preloaded Golf course maps.
Similarities
Apart from these features, Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and Epix 2 share a lot of features and functions.
| Features | Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar | Epix 2 |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Water Rating | 10 ATM | 10 ATM |
| Color Display | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Abnormal Heart Rate Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Respiration Rate | Yes | Yes |
| Body Battery | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep Score | Yes | Yes |
| Women Health | Yes | Yes |
| Health Snapshot | Yes | Yes |
| Golf | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth®, ANT+®, Wi-Fi® | Bluetooth®, ANT+®, Wi-Fi® |
| Music Storage | Upto 2000 songs | Upto 2000 songs |
| Garmin Pay | Yes | Yes |
| LiveTrack (Safety Feature) | Yes | Yes |
| Preloaded Golf maps | 42,000 | 42,000 |
| Gym Profiles | Yes | Yes |
| Outdoor Recreation Profiles | Yes | Yes |
Summary
Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is, primarily, a solar watch that is designed to offer granular level details for runners and professionals. Epix 2 is a premium smartwatch. Both watches share the core features. If I have to choose an Epix 2, I will choose it for being proportionate in size. And, also the fact that it has an AMOLED display.
You may like to read more content related to Fenix 7 smartwatches below:
- Does Fenix 7 have multiband?
- Fenix 7 vs Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar
- Does Fenix 7 have ECG
- Is Fenix 7 Solar worth it?
Helen Kurt is a geeky nerd who loves to cover the wearables space. She has over 5 years of experience in the smartwatch domain. You can reach her on email at [email protected].