Display Comparison - 5 v 5S, Sapphire v Glass

At the moment I've got a 5 Sapphire and a 5S non-Sapphire, so I thought I take a couple of photos to show the display difference in terms of resolution and clarity before one of them goes back.

I've posted the photos here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/64vnksruik27pyh/AAATdyH7CaqeDkiIuQvxUE7Ta?dl=0

Only quick shots, but hopefully enough to illustrate the similarities/differences.

I've not labelled the photos, but the ones with the black bezel are the f5, the silver bezel the f5S

Resolution-wise, I'd say you'd be hard-pressed to notice any difference - the 0.1" difference in display size isn't really go to make the difference between being able to read something or not, and the lower pixel count doesn't seem to be evident - the increased number of colours over the f3 probably helps here.

What is quite surprising is how clear the standard glass is compared to the sapphire. When you see the sapphire on its own, you don't notice anything, but up against the glass you realise just how much less transparent the sapphire is. In real life it still appears clearer than the photos, you don't see the almost tinted effect that the photo shows, but what you do notice is just how much dimmer the sapphire display is compared to the glass one (all these photos were taken without the backlight on)

0 mjsol over 8 years ago

I'm just hoping for a big improvement over my VAHR screen. That thing sucks!

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

I'm just hoping for a big improvement over my VAHR screen. That thing sucks!

You will be happy with the Fenix 5; just went from my one year old VAHR to the new 5 Sapphire today... night and day.

0 andriijas over 8 years ago

fenix 5 feels significant smaller than f3 did on my wrist. f3 always felt a bit too large for me so this is perfect size for me. f5s i think will be too small for most people actually.

0 kitenski over 8 years ago

As for which I'm going to settle for, I'm really undecided right now - I prefer the more rugged look and wider strap of the f5 and don't much like the design of the f5 bezel (specifically the teeth). However, I prefer the display of the 5S (though would miss wifi syncing) and it's a better fit for my slim wrist, though I think I can just about pull off with the f5 size-wise. If I do stick with the f5, I would still consider exchanging this one for the glass version though, just need to decide if I can live without that wifi syncing and the nice extra yellow strap.

Are you any closer in working out which one you'll be keeping Neil?

0 NeilJonesOnline over 8 years ago

Are you any closer in working out which one you'll be keeping Neil?

Probably neither! I've actually got an f5 (non-sapphire) in silver/slate blue on pre-order too (I was hoping they'd all have turned up together!) and I think that'll be the keeper as I prefer the design of the f5 (I think the silver will give the illusion of being slightly smaller on my wrist than the borderline all-black one I've got now) but the more I compare the two displays side-by-side, the more I prefer the clarity of the glass one, and I guess I can come to live without wifi. I should really be re-packaging my f5 for return, but I'm currently working with Garmin support to get to the bottom of some ANT+ connection difficulties I've had (but that's all in other thread).

I've seen that some people clearly get emotional over the subject of displays and the difference between glass and sapphire, so I'll caveat this by repeating that unless I'd seen the two side-by-side, I would have never considered the sapphire to be in any way unsatisfactory (and still don't)! Also, it's going to be a "horses for courses" thing - how I use my fenix and what I want out of the display is going to be different from what other people want, and as we've already seen, some people who've also been able to compare both prefer the sapphire.

YMMV !

0 KPSOUMA over 8 years ago

@Neil...

I have tempered glass screen protectors I purchased when I had my slate gray non sapphire.. 3ea came in the box and I used one of them so there are 2 left. If you want them for free to use with your non sapphire 5 then message me your address and I'll send them off to you..

They are for the 5X but fit the 5 perfectly..

Back to the topic.. I don't see anyone getting emotional over the subject but there are different opinions. I didn't notice any difference between the 3 non sapphire and the 3HR and I don't notice any difference between the 5 non sapphire and the sapphire.. Again, my use case probably has something to do with that as mine gets used 99% of the time outdoors and in very bright sunlight.

To me the sapphire display alone is worth the extra $100 and WiFi and the extra band are just bonuses..

0 MalcolmLavery over 8 years ago

No issues with my Fenix 5 Black Sapphire. Came from a Forerunner 630 and its much clearer, easier to read and brighter and the backlight much better. The glass is lovely, has a lovely shine to it too and I would prefer the stronger more scratch resistance than the normal glass. Plus, I could not really do without my WiFi, Love that.

0 kitenski over 8 years ago

Probably neither! I've actually got an f5 (non-sapphire) in silver/slate blue on pre-order too

Funny, I have a 5S on pre-order but was just wondering whether the silver/slate blue 5 would look better with loads more battery life.

Are you just sending them back under the UK distance selling act within 14 days??

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Help me decide

Hi all, new comer here! I am about to purchase my first 'fitness' watch in Fenix 5. Was hoping you all can give me some advice. I am choosing between the following:

1) Fenix 5 - 500 USD (UK stock)
2) Fenix 5 sapphire - 620 USD (Hong Kong stock)

I am currently in Hong Kong but will be moving to Australia in a month so the warranty won't matter too much. However getting the sapphire version will give me a few extra days to test it out for any major faults. I am not too bothered about the sapphire glass since I think replaceable tempered glass makes a lot more sense anyway. So the main questions is - is that extra week to test the watch /having a valid warranty for 2-3 weeks and the wifi connectivity worth the extra 120 dollars?

0 KPSOUMA over 8 years ago

Hi all, new comer here! I am about to purchase my first 'fitness' watch in Fenix 5. Was hoping you all can give me some advice. I am choosing between the following:

1) Fenix 5 - 500 USD (UK stock)
2) Fenix 5 sapphire - 620 USD (Hong Kong stock)

I am currently in Hong Kong but will be moving to Australia in a month so the warranty won't matter too much. However getting the sapphire version will give me a few extra days to test it out for any major faults. I am not too bothered about the sapphire glass since I think replaceable tempered glass makes a lot more sense anyway. So the main questions is - is that extra week to test the watch /having a valid warranty for 2-3 weeks and the wifi connectivity worth the extra 120 dollars?

Ask yourself what the extras are worth to you or what you'd pay for them:

1. sapphire display (this has to be worth something, at least the price of good screen protectors)
2. WiFi
3. Extra band

For me I break it down like this:

1. $100 (I place a high value on the sapphire display)
2. $20 (don't really care about it, but it's nice to have)
3. $30 (I didn't think I'd like the yellow band but I do) I'd pay $30 for it but not full RRP