| Price | $699+ | $499/$599 |
| Product Announcement Date | Jan 18th, 2022 | June 1st, 2022 |
| Actual Availability/Shipping Date | Jan 18th, 2022 | June 1st, 2022 |
| Display Type | Transflective MIPS | Transflective MIPS |
| GPS Recording Functionality | Yes | Yes |
| Data Transfer | USB/Bluetooth Smart/WiFi | USB/Bluetooth Smart/WiFi |
| Waterproofing | Yes - 100m | Yes - 50m |
| Battery Life (GPS) | 37 to 122 hours (depends on model/mode) | Up to 42hrs GPS only (49hrs+ with Solar) |
| Solar Charging | | Yes (on Solar edition) |
| Recording Interval | 1S or Smart | 1S or Smart |
| Dual-Frequency GNSS | Yes - Sapphire editions only | Yes |
| Alerts | Vibrate/Sound/Visual | Vibrate/Sound/Visual |
| Ability to download custom apps to unit/device | Yes | Yes |
Voice Integration | Garmin Fenix 7 Series | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar | | Has Mic/Speaker | No | No |
| Can make/receive calls | No | No |
| Voice Assistant | No | No |
Music | Garmin Fenix 7 Series | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar | | Can control phone music | Yes | Yes |
| Has offline music storage and playback | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming Services | Spotify, Amazon, Deezer | Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, |
Payments | Garmin Fenix 7 Series | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar | | Contactless-NFC Payments | Yes | Yes |
Connectivity | Garmin Fenix 7 Series | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar | | Bluetooth Smart to Phone Uploading | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc...) | Yes | Yes (with connected phone) |
| Live Tracking (streaming location to website) | Yes | Yes (with connected phone) |
| Group tracking | Yes | Yes (with connected phone) |
| Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts) | Yes (via phone) | Yes (with connected phone) |
| Built-in cellular chip (no phone required) | No | No |
Cycling | Garmin Fenix 7 Series | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar | | Designed for cycling | Yes | Yes |
| Power Meter Capable | Yes | Yes |
| Power Meter Configuration/Calibration Options | Yes | Yes |
| Power Meter TSS/NP/IF | Yes | Yes |
| Speed/Cadence Sensor Capable | Yes | Yes |
| Strava segments live on device | Yes | Yes |
| Crash detection | Yes | Yes |
Running | Garmin Fenix 7 Series | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar | | Designed for running | Yes | Yes |
| Footpod Capable (For treadmills) | Yes | Yes |
| Running Dynamics (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, etc...) | WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI OR HRM-RUN (NOT VIA OPTICAL HR) | Yes WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI, HRM-PRO, HRM-RUN (NOT VIA OPTICAL HR) |
| Running Power | With extra sensor | Yes WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI, HRM-PRO, HRM-RUN (NOT VIA OPTICAL HR) |
| VO2Max Estimation | YEs | YEs |
| Race Predictor | Yes, plus PacePro | Yes |
| Recovery Advisor | Yes | Yes |
| Run/Walk Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Track Recognition Mode | Yes | Yes |
Swimming | Garmin Fenix 7 Series | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar | | Designed for swimming | Yes | Yes |
| Openwater swimming mode | YEs | YEs |
| Lap/Indoor Distance Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Record HR underwater | Yes | Yes |
| Openwater Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | Yes | Yes |
| Indoor Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | YEs | YEs |
| Indoor Drill Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Indoor auto-pause feature | No (it'll show rest time afterwards though) | No (it'll show rest time afterwards though) |
| Change pool size | YEs | YEs |
| Indoor Min/Max Pool Lengths | 14M/15Y TO 150Y/M | 14M/15Y TO 150Y/M |
| Ability to customize data fields | Yes | Yes |
| Captures per length data - indoors | Yes | Yes |
| Indoor Alerts | Yes | Yes |
Triathlon | Garmin Fenix 7 Series | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar | | Designed for triathlon | Yes | Yes |
| Multisport mode | Yes | Yes |
Workouts | Garmin Fenix 7 Series | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar | | Create/Follow custom workouts | Yes | Yes |
| On-unit interval Feature | YEs | YEs |
| Training Calendar Functionality | Yes | Yes |
Functions | Garmin Fenix 7 Series | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar | | Auto Start/Stop | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual Partner Feature | YEs | YEs |
| Virtual Racer Feature | Yes | Yes |
| Records PR's - Personal Records (diff than history) | Yes | Yes |
| Tidal Tables (Tide Information) | No | No |
| Weather Display (live data) | Yes | Yes |
Navigate | Garmin Fenix 7 Series | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar | | Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints) | Yes | Yes |
| Markers/Waypoint Direction | Yes | Yes |
| Offline Maps | Yes | Yes |
| Back to start | Yes | Yes |
| Impromptu Round Trip Route Creation | Yes | Yes |
| Download courses/routes from phone to unit | Yes | Yes |
Sensors | Garmin Fenix 7 Series | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar | | Altimeter Type | Barometric | Barometric |
| Compass Type | Magnetic | Magnetic |
| Optical Heart Rate Sensor internally | Yes | Yes |
| SpO2 (aka Pulse Oximetry) | Yes | Yes |
| ECG Functionality | No | No |
| HRV Recording | | Yes (nightly and on-demand) |
| Heart Rate Strap Compatible | Yes | Yes |
| ANT+ Heart Rate Strap Capable | Yes | Yes |
| ANT+ Speed/Cadence Capable | Yes | Yes |
| ANT+ Footpod Capable | Yes | Yes |
| ANT+ Power Meter Capable | Yes | Yes |
| ANT+ Lighting Control | Yes | Yes |
| ANT+ Bike Radar Integration | Yes | Yes |
| ANT+ Trainer Control (FE-C) | yes | Yes |
| ANT+ Remote Control | No (can control VIRB though) | No |
| ANT+ eBike Compatibility | No | No |
| ANT+ Gear Shifting (i.e. SRAM ETAP) | Yes | Yes |
| Shimano Di2 Shifting | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Smart HR Strap Capable | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Capable | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Smart Footpod Capable | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Smart Power Meter Capable | YEs | YEs |
| Temp Recording (internal sensor) | Yes | Yes |
| Temp Recording (external sensor) | Yes | Yes |
Software | Garmin Fenix 7 Series | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar | | Desktop Application | Garmin Express | Garmin Express |
| Web Application | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect |
| Phone App | iOS/Android/Windows Phone | iOS/Android |
| Ability to Export Settings | No | No |
Purchase | Garmin Fenix 7 Series | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar | | Amazon | Link | Link |
| Backcountry.com | Link | Link |
| REI | Link | Link |
DCRainmaker | Garmin Fenix 7 Series | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar | | Review Link | Link | Link |