Nerd question: Does the Fenix 7 use the Airoha AG3335M GPS receiver?

• Garmin Fenix 7 Series In-Depth Review | DC Rainmaker
• Garmin Epix In-Depth Review | DC Rainmaker

In the case of COROS, they’re using the MediaTek/Airoha chipset (AG3335M), and Garmin confirmed they are also using Airoha as their supplier

Ah, thank you very much!

That’s a good question. DCR noted that Coros is using that chipset in the Vertix, and that f7/epix use Airoha, but he wasn’t clear which Airoha chipset Garmin choose.

Another random site (https://www.fitness-tracker-test.info/en/garmin-fenix-7/) does state that f7/epix use the 3335 chipset.

I think until there’s a tear down (or someone wants to open their new $800-$1000 watch, we will just be speculating.

My personal speculation is that they are indeed using the same Airoha chipset as Coros. My logic:

- it’s a step up in accuracy/performance from the f6 Sony chipset (which negates one of the Coros’ few advantages)

- it’s new GNSS technology but also has some real world miles on it thanks to Coros

- due to the shortage of semiconductors they can add some volume to this chipset for Airoha (also could help with cost)

Maybe it is in the FCC test documentation. It is somewhere on the internet

The Airoha 3331 and 3333 use significantly more mW for tracking, but probably the 3335 uses a smaller nm-stepping, so it should be closer to the Sony. Accuracy, though, looks incredibly good, even with single channel reception.

Can't check myself (no F7 or E2) if there still is a folder /Garmin/RemoteSW on the device, but if there is, and it contains a file CPE.BIN it's probably Sony. If it's EPO.BIN more likely Mediatek.

CPE

So it's CPE. Is this a sure indication it's Sony? Was it EPO on the older chipsets? - also Mediatek, I think. Is it also possible that Garmin simply kept the CPE-filename for all its watches? Interesting, though.

If my information on firmware module numbers is correct, it indeed uses Airoha Technology Corp. AG3335, see manufacturer info.

That module uses EPO orbit prediction.

Not sure anymore if CPE.bin/EPO.bin is a significant indication of the GPS chipset used.

Advantage of the 'classic' EPO files is that updated files can be easily downloaded from several sources online. Fenix 1 through 5 Plus use EPO.bin, Fenix 6 CPE.bin.

https://forums.garmin.com/outdoor-recreation/outdoor-recreation/f/fenix-7-series/306840/garmin-fenix-7x-solar-teardown-non-destructive

AIROHA ARM AG3335MN is the GPS (We should prefer to say GNSS nowadays.) chip of the device