Epix2 vs Apple Watch 7, is it worth the extra cost?

I think the touch screen and new display make the EPIX a massive leap forward. I agree with you. 

Wearing my AW7 SS with Cellular and Sapphire crystal that cost 799.00.   Yes, going to an Epix 2 is worth it.  I had to send my Epix 2 back to Garmin for a mushy button that about quit working.   I miss the Epix quite a bit.  I do not regret spending the money on the Epix.

Apples quality blows the epix away 10 fold, but the epix design is a win.  

I’ve genuinely enjoyed following this thread because I’m in a similar situation. Appreciate all the great input. Here’s my story, maybe it will help someone as well.

I’ve currently been using an AW7 since release last year and have previously owned many version of the AW. I’ve also purchased (and returned) versions of Garmin watches (945, 945 LTE, Fenix 6 Sapphire) and have always returned the watches as I’ve been deterred by the lack of smartwatch capability. The sports capabilities, however, are undeniable, and I’ve eagerly awaited the Epix release as I figured this was the holy grail of smartwatch, sport watch-hybrid form.

I received the Epix 2 Sapphire about 2 weeks ago and shut off my Apple Watch to give it the full-go. I thoroughly enjoyed the touch screen and felt, to my eye, the display looked better than my Apple Watch. But, as expected, for my line of work (RN in a hospital) and use case, I found myself missing some of the smart features which make my life a little easier. At the end of the day, Apple has a vice-grip on iPhone users by walling us off in their garden. For now, as much as I love the battery life and sports features, it still wasn’t enough for me to keep the Epix and it was sent back in a week’s time. I do occasionally find myself missing the Epix, so I won’t rule out a repurchase, but for now I’m gonna let it sit and see how I really feel in a few months. Also, the PRICE! It’s not that I couldn’t afford the Epix, but 1K felt like so much for my use case when my aluminum 45mm AW achieves the same for less than half the cost. If they could bring the price down, I would definitely reconsider the choice sooner rather than later, but I’m not holding my breath!

I've owned a Garmin since 2011 (Forerunner 610) and an Apple Watch since launch in 2015. I currently have a Fenix 6 and an AW 7 stainless.

As a marathon (and occasional ultra) runner, I find the Garmin training metrics useful but I'm too reliant on the smartwatch features (and LTE) of the AW to give it up for day-to-day use. 

I don't find the Garmin recovery data to be particularly accurate so I don't feel compelled to wear it 24/7. 

I’m alway curious when someone talks about smart capabilities of smart watch, what is it that is attractive to do with the watch? 

For myself, I am either close to a computer or phone and the experience on a larger screen is better than any watch. My text/instant message except family are muted and would check emails infrequently as it’s not that important and phone call notifications are the same.

Regardless of watch, health/fitness metrics are just recorded and check after the event and if I’m exercising I wouldn’t be distracted with notifications till after anyway.

would like LTE to message simple canned responses but can’t think of anything else.

What are I missing?

I was really disappointed at the lack of Siri.  I'm not sure how functional it is in the Venu, but it's a lot more useful than people realize.  

There's other stuff, like opening car doors with the watch, 2FA, HomeKit, etc., that are hard to get away from.

Opening the doors in my house, including the garage.  Recording reminders and notes.  Starting workouts.  Noise Level is nice.  Good weather information.  Unlocking phone and vice versa.  Integration with 3rd party apps.  I'll semi-regularly answer the phone on my watch.

You are right that a phone can do this stuff but it's handier and easier a lot of the time.  For instance, my phone might be in the house, but not next to me.  I'm pretty nerded up so I guess could just yell at a HomePod for phone calls although I usually go for the watch.

One word: Yes!

I’ve used an Apple Watch since the first version came out, and only passed on a couple of the update cycles (including the last).

Prior to the AW I’d used the Fenix 5x, but always found the screen resolution / clarity a bit of a let down.

I’d been waiting to see what Garmin came back with, and jumped on the Epix Gen2 Sapphire as soon as it was introduced.

Honestly, the fitness metrics on the Epix are so much better, and comprehensive, than the AW.  Makes the AW seem like a toy in my opinion.  Also, I found the AW Blood Ox sensor to be totally worthless and inaccurate/inconsistent (ranging from dead, to normal, frequently).  The Epix gives consistent readings that I trust).  

Also, saving ~$20 per month in Apple Watch cellular fees that, in hindsight, were not essential (rarely made phone calls on the watch, and the Podcast streaming over the air was a bit flakey in my experience).  I find the Epix wifi/BT sync with my iPhone works fine when returning from a run, and use Runcasts to pre-sync plenty of current podcasts to listen to while running.

I also find the audio prompts on current pace and heart rate way more useful than the Apple Watch strava app capabilities.  Also, the Garmin Connect App fitness stats are super comprehensive and detailed relative to the Apple Health app in my view.  Starve sync from Garmin also works well for the social side.

Other significant gains: Battery Life (so nice to be able to get days out of a charge, and fast re-charging), plus sleep tracking (see battery life ;-) )

Could not be happier.  AW 6 Cellular will be on craigslist soon