Apple Watch Extremely vs Garmin Fenix 7: which do you have to purchase?

Within the realm of rugged wristwear, Garmin’s Fenix sequence has lengthy been the benchmark. Boosted by the solar and match for all circumstances, the Fenix 7 isn’t any exception. However there’s a brand new contender on the path: the Apple Watch Extremely. So which of those robust tickers takes the wearable crown?

Whereas each are constructed for the nice open air, there’s loads to set the 2 timepieces aside. From styling and screens to monitoring and battery life, the Apple Watch Extremely and Garmin Fenix 7 take totally different paths in pursuit of sturdy glory.

Trying to package out your wrist? We’ve run the numbers, punched within the value choices and ranked the entire key health options to evaluate which watch works finest for budding Bear Grylls.

Apple Watch Extremely vs Garmin Fenix 7: value & launch date

Open for pre-orders now, the Apple Watch Extremely ships from 23 September. In contrast to different Apple Watch fashions, it is available in only one measurement, one materials and one connectivity configuration. Which makes the pricing construction refreshingly easy: the Apple Watch Extremely will set you again a flat $799/£849. And the associated fee stays the identical whether or not you go for an Alpine, Ocean or Path Loop strap setup.

Issues are usually not so easy with the Garmin Fenix 7. For starters, it’s obtainable in three sizes: the Fenix 7S (42mm), Fenix 7 (47mm) and Fenix 7X (51mm). The Fenix 7X comes with photo voltaic charging as normal, whilst you can spec up the opposite fashions to match. Or for range-topping toughness, go for the Sapphire Photo voltaic version, which advantages from scratch-resistant sapphire glass. Costs begin at $700/£600 for the Fenix 7S and seven, rising all the way in which to $1000/£1049 for the 51mm Sapphire Photo voltaic model.

Apple Watch Extremely vs Garmin Fenix 7: tech specs

Design: robust nuts

Unmistakably an Apple Watch, the Extremely takes acquainted smartwatch styling and jacks up the armour. So the face remains to be a rounded sq., however it now comes clad in aerospace-grade titanium. Its rugged credentials are mirrored within the dimensions: at 49mm, its case isn’t any shrinking violet. Whereas subtlety isn’t its robust level, the Extremely nonetheless retains the engaging curves of its lineage. It’s additionally lighter than all however a few the Fenix 7 variants, hitting the scales at 61.3g. Plus the pay-off is critical sturdiness: the Extremely is dive-proof all the way down to 40m, and in addition passes navy temperature and shock checks.

In distinction, the Garmin Fenix 7 appears nearer to a basic sports activities watch: six chunky lugs, a full-round face and a strong bezel circling it. Each the bezel and again are created from titanium, whereas the remainder of the case makes use of fibre-reinforced polymer. In contrast to the Extremely, it’s not rated for diving, however a water-resistance rating of 10ATM means it’s sorted for swimming. Dimensions depend upon which version you decide, however the closest choices to the Extremely are the 47mm and 51mm. In Photo voltaic spec, these are beefier than the Watch at 79g and 96g respectively, though the additional grams get you photo voltaic charging. Shelling out for sapphire crystal saves you 6/7g, however has a extra vital and reverse impact in your financial institution stability.

Show: type versus perform

Neglect apples and oranges: strive evaluating the shows on the Apple Watch Extremely and the Garmin Fenix 7. However their variations have a sensible root. Flat-fronted and filled with pixels, the Extremely ships with a beneficiant 1.92in OLED panel that’s massive on color and twice as vibrant as any Apple Watch earlier than it. At 2000 nits, it’s designed to be seen in all circumstances, whether or not excessive within the hills or deep under the ocean. That’s additionally mirrored in activity-specific screens and a brand new Wayfinder face, which put vital information entrance and centre.

In its smallest guise, the Fenix 7S has a 1.2in touchscreen with lower than half the decision of the Apple Watch Extremely. The truth is, not one of the Garmin Fenix 7 fashions have a show that’s notably sharp, with the panel that fronts the biggest Fenix 7X measuring in at 1.4in and 280×280 pixels. Reminiscence-in-pixel tech lags far behind the Extremely’s OLED with regards to vivid distinction, too. However it’s not and not using a objective: that show setup is vastly extra energy environment friendly, which is mirrored within the weeks-long battery lifetime of the Garmin Fenix 7. Although there’s no escaping that the Extremely does supply extra display screen actual property.

Well being & health monitoring: full home

As you’d count on from journey watches, each the Apple Watch Extremely and the Garmin Fenix 7 supply a full suite of sensors. And so they transcend the sleep, step and exercise monitoring options of your normal smartwatch – though they will deal with these, too.

With the Apple Watch Extremely, you get the complete health basis laid down by earlier editions. Which means ECG readings, blood oxygen monitoring and a complete Exercise app. Just like the Apple Watch Collection 8, the Extremely can be geared up with a pores and skin temperature sensor to enhance the accuracy of cycle predictions, plus extra movement sensors that may detect crashes and alert emergency companies should you’re unresponsive. However the Extremely goes even additional: it deploys dual-frequency GPS and up to date positioning algorithms to ship Apple’s most correct wrist-based location monitoring but. It additionally encompasses a depth gauge which, working along with the Oceanic+ app, can routinely rework the Extremely right into a dive watch once you go beneath the waves.

Garmin’s Fenix 7 doesn’t have the identical dive credentials, nor can it learn your pores and skin temperature. However it does supply a beneficiant set of monitoring instruments, together with pulse and blood oxygen sensors. From browsing to snowboarding to sprints, it additionally comes geared up with a list of sport profiles, every with readouts particular to the exercise. Moreover getting critical about stats, its expertise go deep for every self-discipline, starting from gradient-adjusted pacing for runners, to ascent planning for mountain climbers. Assist for a number of satellite tv for pc programs improves navigation accuracy too, whether or not you’re following path routes or golf maps. And that’s all along with day by day wellness steerage and long-term coaching metrics that will help you enhance your efficiency.

Software program and options: smartwatch vs sensible watch

With watchOS 9 put in, the Apple Watch Extremely is each bit the out of doors smartwatch. Moreover the Exercise, Apple Well being and Oceanic+ apps put in as normal, you get entry to the numerous third-party choices obtainable on the App Retailer. You can too save PB playlists to your wrist, use Apple Pay to settle up for restoration shakes and ask Siri to remind you to run. And whereas the icon-based interface is aware of faucet, the Extremely additionally encompasses a customisable button for sporty shortcuts – whether or not you’re marking waypoints or intervals.

Garmin makes use of proprietary software program for the Fenix 7. Whereas it’s not as slick as watchOS 9, it nonetheless encompasses a wholesome dose of smarts. The Join IQ retailer is residence to a number of mainstream apps – together with Spotify, which you should use to obtain exercise bangers. You can too obtain notifications from related smartphones and use Garmin Pay for contactless transactions. And although there’s no voice assistant help, the Garmin Join app is among the finest for diving into knowledge. Whereas the touchscreen shall be a welcome addition for a lot of, the Fenix 7 arguably has the superior setup for individuals who desire the understanding of bodily buttons when out within the wild.

Battery life: poles aside

On paper, the Extremely provides a serious battery improve over different Apple Watch fashions. Its cell is rated for as much as 36 hours of regular use, which in Apple’s world means checking the time, responding to notifications and getting in a 60-minute exercise whereas taking part in music from the Watch. Heading on an extended jaunt? As soon as the low-power function is enabled, you’ll be capable of eke the battery life out for as much as 60 hours, by decreasing the frequency of coronary heart fee and GPS readings.

As first rate as that’s for a watch as sensible because the Extremely, it’s roundly crushed by the Fenix 7. Thanks largely to its less complicated show setup, the usual Fenix 7 can final for as much as 18 days as a smartwatch, or 57 days within the battery saver setting. These numbers will naturally cut back should you go on a GPS binge, as they might for the Apple Watch Extremely. However the critical numbers include assist from the solar: the Photo voltaic model embarrasses the Extremely with a most span of 173 days, relying on photo voltaic publicity. Prepared to splash the money for final longevity? The Photo voltaic Sapphire can run for greater than a yr.

Apple Watch Extremely vs Garmin Fenix 7: preliminary verdict

From the mountains to the ocean, each of those wearables are sorted for monitoring adventures. Every is constructed to outlive in robust circumstances and every comes geared up with an arsenal of sensors to trace your stats as you deal with them. But even after inspecting their specs, it’s difficult to select a winner. Not as a result of they’re so related, however as a result of they’re so totally different.

Regardless of its styling, the Extremely is greater than a beefed up Apple Watch. Certain, it’s simply the smarter of the 2 gadgets in competitors right here. However it’s additionally extra sturdy than the usual Fenix 7 and cheaper than the Sapphire Photo voltaic version, which is the one choice with equal crystal. The Extremely can even function a dive watch, full with depth gauge. And it packs a show that’s larger, brighter and extra vibrant. In order for you a correct smartwatch to take into the wild, the Extremely is the one.

That stated, the Garmin Fenix 7 is a stellar technical instrument. Its devoted exercise profiles measure sufficient metrics to please a sports activities scientist, whereas its pared-back interface is all about effectivity. Its sensible options could be fewer, however it’s each bit the succesful companion on land. And for a lot of, the dealbreaker shall be that battery life. For followers of prolonged expeditions, the Apple Watch has no reply to the Fenix 7’s longevity.