The phoenix 6 was released back in 2019 with solar models added to the range in 2020. But now the start of 2022 weve got our hands on garmins flagship, phoenix 7 watch an outdoor watch loved by a lot of runners, as well as outdoor enthusiasts because of its rugged look extra battery life and all of the high end features and having waited two And a half years for garmin to update their model range to the seven weve been given 22 different skews, which are subtly different versions or actually 26, if youre to include the four versions of the brand new epics, which ill talk about a little bit later on. Today, im going to focus mainly on whats different between the phoenix 6 and the phoenix 7. theres, one feature in particular, which im really excited about were planning on doing more first looks at various different bits of tech throughout the rest of this year, so theres any Particular brands or models coming up or that are already out there, that youd like us to take a look at please. Let us know in the comments below before we dive in its worth saying that whilst garmin are a partner on some of the other videos that we make were not paid by the brands to say nice, things about the models when we review them – and today is Just an honest look at what i think about this brand new watch so when a new watch is released, its actually quite overwhelming, both in terms of the features both new and the ones that were existing in the range already and the different model options are available.
So ive got my notes here and ive also been taking the watch for spin for the last week or so to get a feel for it. Im going to talk you through some of the key features, starting with the different range of models that are available to suit various different options. The range is so extensive because it offers you different options to cater for different things, starting with size, for example, theres a 7s, which is the smallest version, the 7 which ive got here, then the 7x, which is the largest version, and probably only really suitable for People with slightly larger wrists than me, then you can choose an option as to whether you have the solar version or not, which adds a little bit of extra battery life, because its able to charge through a feature in the screen which harvests sunlights energy. You can also choose the glass type, and this is the first time that garmin have had both solar power and sapphire glass available on the same watch. You can also choose whether you have the steel version or in the more premium models. The titanium version, which is slightly lighter and perhaps brings it in line more with from my understanding what the corus vertex 2 has and then you can choose between two different gps technologies, the more traditional one or a newer one which uses multi band technology to allow You to get better signal and recording in difficult to track areas like wooded areas or built up areas in cities.
Now the phoenix watches have always been some of garmins flagship outdoor watches, and you pay a premium for that because of the high end features that they have – and this is no exception here and because of the extensive nature of the rains. Theres. Also, quite a big range of prices, starting at 599.99 in the uk, so thats in pounds right the way up to 859.99 and actually even north of that, if you buy one of the models thats available in jewelers and has different straps and so on. So in terms of size and weight, you want to consider your wrist size, but also the battery life that you want to achieve when choosing the right model. Now the phoenix 7s i need to refer to my notes here is quite complicated. The phoenix 7s is 30 millimeters across and the lightest version weighs in at 58 grams. The seven that ive got is 33 millimeters across and weighs between 73 and 79 grams, depending on the version that youve got whilst the biggest version. The 7x is 35 and a half millimeters across and weighs in between 89 and 96 grams. So thats not a light. Watch the sevens got the same five button layout that youd be familiar with from the six and other garmin watches as well. But there are some subtle differences to the aesthetic. First of all, theyve moved the screws which were on the bezel itself before when theyve been moved onto the kind of shoulders, then the main start button, which is on the side here, actually has a little bit more protection and some styling around it allegedly to make It less easy to mistakenly press during a workout and therefore stop or start your activity by mistake.
Theres also the solar technology, which has been improved from previous models. Youve got the perimeter ring around the outside of the face which harvests 100 of sunlights energy and then youve got the watch face itself which, for the first time, can capture some of the suns energy as well. Giving you an overall improvement across all of the range to improve the battery life theres. Also, probably the key biggest difference here, which is the touchscreen introducing the touchscreen in quite a light touch way. Actually, because you can turn it on and off. You dont always have to have it working and ive got it set to automatically turn off when im doing an activity, because i dont want to swipe through my screens by mistake. Another thing where the touchscreen really comes into its own is in the navigation features. By being able to drag and move the rat map around to see what you might have coming up, something that was a little bit more clunky to do using the buttons on the previous models. The biggest immediate difference is the screen its nicer to look at. It seems a much higher quality and its a touchscreen, which is a big difference. I never necessarily thought that the phoenix 6 needed a touchscreen, but the addition here has been well thought out. If youve got data points on your home screen, then its a nice touch to be able to physically touch them. To take you to the glance the data glance, which is what garmin calls it, which takes you into more detail about your heart rate or your elevation, or your different stats that you might have on the watch.
If were talking about the screen, its also worth mentioning the epics, which is the top end version of the phoenix 7? Essentially now that has an amoled screen, which is just like what youd have on your phone. So a total step up in terms of screen quality. But for that there is a price that you pay and also a sacrifice in battery life. Now the smaller models, the 7s and the 7 that ive got have an option where you can double tap on the light button to light up the screen and use that as a kind of flashlight. If you are scrambling around in the dark. But on the 7x, the bigger model is actually a proper led, torch or flashlight built into the outside of the watch. Now you can use that to sync with your cadence when youre running and it can flash white and red or it can strobe as youre running as well. Essentially, an extra safety feature to help you be seen or, if youre, trying to find something when youre living an outdoor lifestyle camping, for example, if battery life is the be all and end all, then this watch is a great option, as is the enduro, which is Also from garmin, which is a big focus on lasting on long endurance, ultra activities, but wed be remiss if we didnt mention coros and their range of watches, which really specialize in long battery life right away from the pace.
2. As a very specialist running. Watch up to the vertex 2 as their outdoor watch, which is the competitor for this. I mentioned it earlier, but being able to use what is quite now an advanced technology in terms of the multi band gnss, which is the gps tracking system, allows the watch to use multiple satellite systems simultaneously. To avoid the interference that you get where the signal is bouncing off or being reflected by buildings and trees, i havent had a chance to test that fully, but i think therell be a few marathon runners id be interested to see whether thatll work in the kind Of dead spot in the london marathon, where everyones gps always goes haywire race, predictor uses all of the data that the watch knows about you and through garmin connect as well to estimate your best time if you were to take on certain different distances previously. That was just four times one for each different distance, but now it tracks your predicted time over time to show how its improving and how the different types of training you do are affecting times in different distances. Youd expect that more specialist training might affect the event that youre training for the most but youll be able to see how theyre impacted directly on the watch. Theres. Also, a new feature called up ahead, which is a single screen that allows you to see at a glance, key features that are relevant to you that are coming up.
Things like when the next climb is when you might need to take on some water or things like your next waypoint with a running channel and were focused on running, but wed always recommend that youre doing some cross training too, and the new additions to this watch Also include some new crosstraining features and some new hit workouts for you to follow, along with now one of the biggest new features and the thing that im most excited about, because i can see real world applications for this. That can help with peoples training. With my training, with my racing, thats called stamina and stamina, by definition, is the ability to sustain performance over a period of time. So this feature is aimed at helping you avoid bonking or hitting the wall so going too hard too early and not being able to finish at the pace that you started, but also to allow you to maximize your effort so to make sure that you dont leave Any of your run kind of out there on the road and havent maxed out your effort, so full disclaimer. I havent been able to try this feature out fully. Ive had a quick demonstration ive also taken it out for a run, but not used it to its fullest extent, and i cant comment on how accurate it is. But in theory this is really exciting and it actually works in a similar way if anyones familiar with it, so the curse, the energy recovery system on f1.
In terms of a gauge it gives you to let you know how close youre working to your potential. The idea here is that it allows you to manage your effort in real time so on a screen. Ive got mine, set up to show me stamina on a single data screen on my run activity, so i scroll to it during my activity and then i can see it lay down theres a progress bar there, which shows you your potential. It also gives you a potential as a percentage, so if youre well rested ultimately the stamina system that the algorithm takes into account, your sleep, your previous performance levels, the training that youve done recently and your other physiological inputs on the watch to give you your potential. So if youre well rested, it should be 100 when youre running your actual live stamina and your potential deplete. Based on the effort that youre running out in terms of the pace, the watch will also show you a distance or a time that it thinks, based on all of those metrics before youll, be able to sustain your existing pace, for if you overcook it too early, Then your actual live stamina figure will deplete or go lower much more quickly than your potential figure, which shows you how much energy you could have left. If you back off a little bit and give yourself a chance to recover effectively, you should be able to recover back up towards that potential figure by easing off, for example, if youve got to exactly halfway in a marathon, but your watch says youve only got 11 Miles of effort left then its probably time to try and recoup some of that energy and make sure youre going to get to the finish line and still be able to run strong.
The data screen itself takes a little bit of getting used to, but essentially the black bar in the middle shows you if youve got a difference between your actual stamina and the potential orange means that your energy levels, your stamina, is depleting and green means that youre Recharging by recovering slightly back up towards that potential level, those are the key differences between the new seven range and the previous six models. But now im just going to give you a quick summary of my opinions and some of the other key features now theres a long list. But you do still get all of the top end features of the phoenix series like navigation, something that i use quite a lot, particularly in new locations using garmins connect software to plot me, a new route if ive got no idea where im going sleep tracking pace Pro climb pro music, including spotify, another feature that i use a lot and other apps, along with things like body battery and other physiological measures, its not a radical cosmetic overhaul. In fact, it looks very similar to the phoenix 6.. So if youre, a fan of the phoenix 6, then youll like how this looks and its a watch thats comfortable, being worn at work casually, but also, obviously on a run, because we are the running channel working. My way down my list and next up the touchscreen. Its really nice, its well executed its not clunky or annoying, and that hasnt always been the case with garwins forays into touch screens in their previous watches.
So in this case, i really like it and its really effective. Now the battery life stats are really impressive. Theres more battery life here, particularly with the solar inclusion than im ever likely to use between charges. But if battery life is the be on an end all then there are other models to consider like the enduro that we mentioned and brands like coros, where across their whole range really theyve made battery life. One of their key features. Stamina does stand out for me. You could tell in the video i was excited about this feature. It stands out for me as a great addition and one thats only going to be available in this range of watches to start with. Now, if you love data – and you feel like you like features like pace pro suggested workouts and body battery, then it could be really useful for you, but like anything, its obviously only going to be as accurate as the data that the watch can use. So you need to be using the watch enough and you probably also need to be selective about when you use it. I dont know how motivating it would be to pitch up to the start line of a key race or marathon, for example, and see that your potential to start with before you even hit the start line is less than 100. Now the phoenix series have never been pure running, watches and dont claim to be, but lots of runners do love.
The me included, because of just how comprehensive they are. The high end features mean that theres everything you could possibly wish for as a runner, but you pay a premium for that, and so, if you only want a specific running watch that youll only wear for running, you can definitely pick up lighter, cheaper garmin models or From other brands like coros polo and suntown, now, if youre talking about outdoor watches in particular, then youll be comparing this against polars grit x, pro, which comes in a cheaper price point also against the vertex 2 from coros, which matches a lot of these features. Here, perhaps not in terms of stamina and some of the newer editions, but does have titanium body really long battery life and the addition of music below from having used both systems. I do think that the garmin system for music is slightly easier to use and then youve also got the sunton9 but uh from my experience of testing that briefly, it doesnt really come close to either the coros or the garmin. If youve got a phoenix 6 already, then youre going to have to compare the features carefully and see whether its worth the upgrade and that outlay of cash. But if you havent got a running watch at all or youre looking to invest in a new one, the phoenix 7 really is a great option with really high end features very high end build quality. It does feel incredibly tough and durable, but youre paying a premium for that compared to running specialist watches that dont try and do everything that the phoenix 7 does so weigh those up and maybe think about the four in a range or perhaps watches like cars pace.
Two, if youre thinking about investing in a specialist running watch, i really hope that was useful for your whirlwind tour through the brand new features of the garmin fenix 7 and how it compared to the previous models. But, more importantly, wed like to know what youre excited about launching this year, whether thats technology brands different models. Let us know what youd like to see us, get our hands on and well try to make that happen.kkCjSWbEiYw
