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Garmin unveils touchscreen Fenix 7, AMOLED Epix smartwatches

Garmin today unveiled new versions of its flagship Fenix series and its outdoorsy Epix fitness smartwatches. The Fenix 7 series maintains its prime position as Garmin’s do-it-all outdoor watch, while the Epix takes the best of the Fenix and packages it into a smaller, more affordable package. Both watches will go all the way to the borderlands and back without missing a beat.

Garmin Fenix 7 Series brings touchscreen controls

Garmin Fenix with touchscreen and solar charging.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The new Garmin Fenix 7 Series keeps the bigger-is-better style we know and love. It has a large display suitable for its topo maps and chunky buttons. New to the watch is the much-requested touchscreen interface. Instead of using only buttons, the Fenix 7 lets you scroll through menus, zoom on maps, and more using touch controls. Garmin also added a new real-time stamina metric that measures exertion throughout a bike or runs and a race predictor that estimates how you will perform based on your training and overall fitness. Other features include an integrated LED flashlight that users can change with a double-tap of the screen and improved solar charging that ensures the watch will last as long as you do.

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Garmin makes Epix improvements to an aging watch

Lineup of all the new Garmin Epix fitness smartwatch.
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Garmin’s original Epix smartwatch was one of the first Garmin watches to ship with built-in maps. It was a bulky watch with an awkward square design. Rather than abandon this formerly cutting-edge device, Garmin has updated it for 2022. The first thing you’ll notice about the Epix is the 1.3-inch AMOLED display that makes it easy to read your metrics in the middle of the day and the dark of night. A true all-in-one, the Epix is equipped with support for various activities, including gym workouts, tennis, climbing, skiing, and more. It also brings the best wellness features of Garmin’s consumer-focused wearables enabling the Epix to track sleep, stress, and overall energy level.

Pricing and availability

As it has done in the past, Garmin is releasing the Fenix 7 as a series with the smaller fēnix 7S, the standard fēnix 7, and the top tier fēnix 7X, with options for standard (non-solar), Solar and Sapphire Solar Editions. The Epic will be available in various colors, including slate steel, black titanium sapphire, and white titanium sapphire. Retail pricing for the Fenix starts at $799, while the Epix begins at $899.

Kelly Hodgkins
Kelly's been writing online for ten years, working at Gizmodo, TUAW, and BGR among others. Living near the White Mountains of…
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