Garmin watches and gadgets have long been popular choices for those living an active and adventurous lifestyle. This is primarily due to the label’s special attention to accurate GPS technology, with Garmin’s products (like the Garmin Handheld GPS) being used by all kinds of people, from soldiers in the military to intrepid hikers. Today, the watch landscape is ever-evolving, especially with the rising popularity of smartwatches and fitness trackers like the Apple Watch and the Fitbit within the last decade. Although Garmin’s watches are certainly up to snuff, it wasn’t until around 2018 that the brand started to include features such as contactless pay and music streaming integration, just a few functions that fans have come to expect from a smartwatch. However, the first edition of the Garmin Epix watch that came out in 2015 was quite ahead of its time, sporting a touchscreen display along with other outdoor and active-friendly features. But now Garmin is back with some improved pro installments with the Epix Pro and Fenix Pro 7 smartwatches, with more sizes and functions.
Starting with the similarities, both watches will have a heart sensor, an LED flashlight, and new maps for activity tracking and weather. The weather map is great for anticipating conditions and acting accordingly, and the Up Ahead map will provide landmarks on the way. Additionally, 42mm, 47mm, and 51mm sizes of both watches are now an option. The updated Epix Pro will last up to 10 days in smartwatch mode or 20 hours in GPS mode and have a 1.2” AMOLED display.
The Fenix 7 Pro lasts up to 14 days or 46 hours in GPS mode and has a 1.2” MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) display. This extra battery life is achieved by the Solar Edition’s solar charging capabilities, with 3 hours of direct sunlight providing a full charge.
The Garmin Epix Pro and Fenix 7 Pro smartwatches are available now, with the Garmin Epix Pro starting at $899 and the Fenix 7 Pro at $799.
