The summary of ‘Garmin Fenix 7 Pro vs Fenix 7: Which Fenix should you buy?’

This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.

00:00:0000:21:22

The video provides an in-depth comparison between the Garmin Phoenix 7 and the new Phoenix 7 Pro to help viewers determine which watch is more suitable for their needs. Kieran, the speaker, notes that the Phoenix 7 Pro models offer incremental improvements over the standard Phoenix 7, such as a new memory-in-pixel display for better indoor legibility, an advanced Elevate generation 5 optical heart rate sensor, a flashlight, and additional features like Hill Score and Endurance Score.

Both models share similar build materials, design, GPS accuracy, and overall battery life, with the Pro featuring slightly better heart rate accuracy and more storage (32GB). Despite these upgrades, the speaker emphasizes that many of the new software features of the Pro will also be available on the standard Phoenix 7 through updates. Therefore, they recommend the standard Phoenix 7, particularly its Sapphire model, for its cost-effectiveness and comparable performance, unless users specifically need the minor enhancements of the Phoenix 7 Pro. The video concludes by encouraging viewers to explore more comparative reviews on the channel and supporting the content through likes and subscriptions.

00:00:00

In this segment of the video, Kieran provides a detailed comparison between the Garmin Phoenix 7 and the new Phoenix 7 Pro watches to help viewers decide which one to buy. He highlights that while there are over 30 different Phoenix 7 models, the new 7 Pro models offer only incremental improvements over the existing series. He notes that the build materials, design, and touchscreen options are mostly identical across the models, with variants available in different case sizes and materials like sapphire glass and titanium.

Key differences include the new screen and optical heart rate sensor on the Phoenix 7 Pro. The new memory-in-pixel display is designed to be more power-efficient and improve legibility in indoor light. The updated Elevate generation 5 optical heart rate sensor offers potentially more accurate readings due to a new LED array and algorithm.

The Phoenix 7 Pro also introduces new functional features: the Hill Score, which assesses hill running performance, and the Endurance Score, which benchmarks sustained effort across various sports. Additionally, it enhances navigation with weather map overlays. However, Kieran clarifies that these new features will also be available on the standard Phoenix 7, which eliminates them as deciding factors between the two models.

00:03:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the battery life and various features of the Phoenix 7 and 7 Pro models, highlighting their solar charging capabilities and runtime differences. Notably, all Phoenix 7 Pro models now include a built-in flashlight, which was previously only available on the larger 7x models. The Phoenix 7 Pro also offers increased storage up to 32GB. The prices for these watches range from around £750 to £930 ($800 to $1,000), with the standard Phoenix 7 starting at £560 ($700).

The speaker compares their experience testing the Phoenix 7x and 7x Pro models, noting that outside of a new heart rate sensor, the watches are quite similar. The GPS accuracy is particularly praised on the Pro model. While there is a supposed upgrade in the screen, it wasn’t significantly noticeable. Battery life remains strong, with the larger 7x model lasting up to three weeks on a charge. The key hardware upgrade in the 7x Pro is the improved heart rate sensor, which shows better performance compared to the older Phoenix 7x model, although it still lags behind a chest strap during intervals.

00:06:00

In this part of the video, the speaker compares the Garmin Fenix 7 and the Fenix 7 Pro, highlighting that the main difference lies in the heart rate sensor. The Fenix 7 Pro introduces a new sensor with more LEDs for improved accuracy, although the improvement is not substantial. Additionally, the Fenix 7 Pro features a flashlight, which the speaker finds useful for night runs but hasn’t extensively tested due to a heatwave. The speaker is somewhat disappointed with the minimal changes and wishes for additional features like a skin temperature sensor. Overall, they find the two models very similar, except for the flashlight feature.

00:09:00

In this segment, the speaker discusses their experience using a more compact Garmin Fenix 7 Pro, comparing it to both the standard Fenix 7 and other case sizes within the Fenix 7 series. They note that the design, performance, and accuracy are quite similar between the Fenix 7 and 7 Pro, especially in steady efforts. Both models offer reliable multi-band GPS. The new screen differences are minimal, and while the flashlight is a useful addition, it’s not essential for those who use a head torch. The Fenix 7 Pro features a more pronounced button and an improved heart rate sensor, which performed well in tests, including interval training and steady runs. The improved display on the Pro model offers slight visibility enhancements in bright outdoor light but does not significantly change the overall experience.

00:12:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the heart rate monitoring performance of the Phoenix 7 compared to a chest strap, noting that there is often a discrepancy between the two. They mention that the multi-frequency, multi-band mode in both the Phoenix 7 and newer Forerunners provides similar accuracy and battery life. The video highlights new features like Hill Score, Endurance Score, and enhanced mapping features, which, while nice and consistently integrated, haven’t significantly changed the user’s experience.

Additionally, the segment covers the flashlight feature available in the 7x, useful for nighttime activities and customizable for various uses. Smartwatch features and battery life are also similar across these models, with the more expensive versions offering better materials and features such as a power glass lens and topo maps.

00:15:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the battery performance and features of the Phoenix 7 and Phoenix 7 Pro watches. They mention that both watches have similar battery performances across various modes and use cases, with no significant improvements in the Phoenix 7 Pro. The speaker notes that the main differences between the two models are the additional software extras, flashlight, and improved display on the Phoenix 7 Pro, but they don’t see these as substantial upgrades. They advise against upgrading from a Phoenix 7 to a 7 Pro due to the minimal differences, suggesting that if one is new to the Phoenix series, they should consider the older, more affordable Phoenix 7 or wait for a more significant upgrade in future models. They highlight the solar Sapphire options for their multiband GPS and flashlight features. The speaker concludes that while both watches are excellent, the older Phoenix 7 is a better value unless the user specifically wants the new minor features of the Phoenix 7 Pro.

00:18:00

In this part of the video, the speaker compares the Phoenix 7 Pro and the Phoenix 7 watches, focusing on whether the newer model justifies its higher price. They address key features such as the flashlight and improved optical heart rate tracking of the Phoenix 7 Pro, suggesting that while these may offer some benefits, they aren’t substantial enough to warrant an upgrade for current Phoenix 7 owners. The speaker notes that most of the new software features of the Pro will be available on the Phoenix 7 through updates, making the older model a more cost-effective choice. They recommend the Phoenix 7, especially the Sapphire version for its extra mapping features and lighter titanium bezel, unless the user specifically needs the flashlight or slightly better heart rate accuracy from the Pro model.

00:21:00

In this part of the video, the speaker encourages viewers to check out the various videos on the channel that compare the new Garmin 7 Pros to other models. They remind viewers to like and subscribe to support the channel and conclude with well wishes, encouraging viewers to pursue their goals.

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