Garmin Instinct Solar vs. Garmin fēnix 7X Solar

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Garmin Instinct Solar and Garmin fēnix 7X Solar. Compare sizes, functions, displays, batteries and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right smartwatch for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the watch that will best fit your needs.

Smartwatch Specifications Comparison

Garmin Instinct Solar vs. Garmin fēnix 7X Solar Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin fēnix 7X Solar
Product Type Sport watch Sport watch
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android iOS, Android
Activity/Sport Running, swimming, ski, cycling, hiking, fishing, climbing, snowboarding, rower, kayaking, hunting, jumpmaster, stand up paddleboarding Multisport
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Width 45 mm -
Height 45 mm -
Depth 15.3 mm -
Weight 53 g -
Body Details - With band: 96 g
Case only: 68 g
Body Material Fibre-reinforced polymer Stainless steel, fibre-reinforced polymer
Protection Waterproof Water-resistant
Colours Pipeline | Tidal blue | Cloudbreak -
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin fēnix 7X Solar
Sensors Accelerometer, barometer, thermometre, altimeter, 3-axis compass, optical heart sensor Accelerometer, thermometre, gyro sensor, barometric altimeter, electromagnetic compass, optical heart sensor, Pulse Ox sensor
Tracking Data Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, blood oxygen saturation, stress level Distance, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, blood oxygen saturation, pace, stress level, respiratory rate, active time, water balance, temperature
Modes Stealth mode -
Goal Setting Yes Yes
Features Music remote handling, Heart Rate target zone selector, find phone function, Bluetooth Smart technology, VIRB control, inactivity alert, Move IQ, Find my Device, Garmin Elevate, TrueUp, Body Battery, solar charging, night vision compatibility, dual grid coordinates format, trackback routing Music remote handling, find phone function, VIRB control, inactivity alert, Move IQ, Find my Device, Downloadable workouts, store & play music, rejecting a call, LiveTrack, Physio TrueUp, PacePro pace guidance, solar charging, animated workouts, weather information, dual grid coordinates format, Body Battery Energy Monitor
Notifications Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps Calendar, SMS, Email, social apps, incoming calls, high and low heart rate
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Feedback Type - Audio alert, vibration alert, visual interface
Navigation (GPS) GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver
Payment Technology - Garmin Pay
CONNECTIVITY Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin fēnix 7X Solar
Wireless Interface Bluetooth, ANT+ Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+
DISPLAY Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin fēnix 7X Solar
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective Memory-in-Pixel LCD - colour - transflective
Resolution 128 x 128 pixels 280 x 280 pixels
Screen Size - 1.4"
Dimensions (WxH) 23 mm x 23 mm -
Screen Protection Power Glass Corning Gorilla Glass DX (scratch resistant glass)
INPUT DEVICE Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin fēnix 7X Solar
Type Touch buttons Touch sensitive screen, push buttons
CASE Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin fēnix 7X Solar
Case Size - 51 mm
Case Shape Round Round
Bezel - Stainless steel
Case Back - Metal
Case Details Graphite | Black | Moss | Flame red | Sunburst | Lichen camo Slate grey
BAND Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin fēnix 7X Solar
Band Type Band Band
Band Width 22 mm 26 mm
Fits Wrist with Circumference 132-224 mm 127-210 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type Buckle Buckle
Band Material Silicone Silicone
Band Colour Graphite | Black | Moss | Flame red | Sunburst | Lichen camo | Orchid | Graphite camo Black
STORAGE Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin fēnix 7X Solar
Storage Capacity - 16 GB
BATTERY Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin fēnix 7X Solar
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Battery Life 56 day(s) -
Battery Life Details Smartwatch mode - up to 24 days
Smartwatch mode (with solar) - up to 54 days
Battery Saver Watch Mode - up to 56 days
Max Battery GPS Mode - up to 30 hour(s)
Max Battery GPS Mode (with solar) - up to 38 hour(s)
Smartwatch mode - up to 28 days
Smartwatch mode (with solar) - up to 37 days
Battery Saver Watch Mode - up to 90 days
Battery Saver Watch Mode (with solar) - up to 1 year
GPS mode - up to 89 hour(s)
GPS mode (with solar) - up to 122 hour(s)
All satellite systems mode - up to 63 hours
All satellite systems mode (with solar) - up to 77 hours
All satellite systems with music mode - up to 16 hour(s)
Max Battery GPS Mode - up to 213 hour(s)
Max Battery GPS Mode (with solar) - up to 578 hour(s)
Expedition GPS Mode - up to 62 days
Expedition GPS Mode (with solar) - up to 139 days
Rechargeable Battery Yes Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin fēnix 7X Solar
Included Accessories Charging/data cable Charging/data cable
Compliant Standards MIL-STD-810 -
SAR Value - 0.75 W/kg (body), 0.27 W/kg (limb)
Max Depth of Water Resistance 100 m 100 m
Max Operating Temperature - 45 °C
Min Operating Temperature - -20 °C
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