Garmin watches are renowned for their robust features and reliability, especially among athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. When comparing Garmin watches, users often notice performance variations between different models. One frequently discussed comparison is between the newer Garmin Fenix 7 series and older models like the Fenix 5 Plus, particularly concerning responsiveness and speed for certain tasks.
Users have reported that the Fenix 7 can sometimes feel slower than the Fenix 5 Plus in everyday interactions such as starting activities or navigating widgets. However, this perception is nuanced when considering CPU-intensive operations. For tasks like route calculation and map navigation, the Fenix 7 demonstrates significantly faster processing speeds due to its more advanced CPU architecture.
This difference in perceived speed can be attributed to changes in memory architecture. The Fenix 7 moved from 16MB of external RAM in the Fenix 5 Plus to a smaller 5MB of onboard RAM, with no external RAM. This design choice presents a trade-off. The reduced RAM contributes to substantial power savings, leading to longer battery life – a key advantage of the Fenix 7. However, the downside is that launching and running apps might involve serializing data to slower storage as new applications are loaded. This process can introduce lag, making the watch feel somewhat sluggish in certain operations.
While Garmin likely optimizes its Connect IQ runtime environment for efficiency, the current architecture might present inherent limitations. Future Garmin watch models might benefit from increased memory to mitigate these performance trade-offs and enhance overall user experience across different functions.
If a Fenix 7 user experiences performance issues beyond typical expectations, such as jerky animations or unusually long delays, it might indicate background processes consuming resources. In such cases, a factory reset, followed by restoring settings without installing third-party applications initially, can help determine if rogue apps are contributing to the slowdown. Comparing Garmin watches therefore involves understanding these subtle performance characteristics alongside feature sets and specifications to choose the best model for individual needs.
