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Originally posted on 13th of August 2019, updated on 30th of September 2019

The Garmin Fenix 6 is now official and shipping worldwide including Amazon availability.

If you are on the lookout for a new watch you may be wondering how the Fenix 6 series compares to previous generations, or how it differs from the top of the range Forerunner 945. With the Fenix 6 Pro being priced at £599 is it worth it compared to £519 for the Forerunner or around £480 for the Fenix 5 Plus?

Black Friday Deals

Both the Garmin Fenix 5 Plus and 5S Plus have been reduced down to just £399 which is an absolute steal of a deal. The Fenix 6 is starting to drop in price too, but it is still £156 more.

Related Posts

Fenix 6 Series Models & Prices

The Fenix 6 series brings more watches to the range than ever, just doing the pricing table below got a little confusing with 16 models in total.

If you pick the base model between each size, there is not a huge difference in price, the 6S costs about the same as the 6 and the 6X run at about £50 extra.

The current pricing is taken from the Garmin website directly, you can get the Fenix 5 Plus for considerably cheaper on Amazon during deals.

6 Series5 Plus
42mm S£529.99N/A
42mm S Pro£599.99£599.99
42mm S Sapphire£699.99£649.99
42mm S Sapphire Luxury Straps£799.99£749
47mm£529.99N/A
47mm Pro£599.99£599.99
47mm Sapphire£699.99£649.99
47mm Sapphire Titanium£899.99£749
51mm X Sapphire£749.99£799.99
51mm X Titanium/Luxy band£899.99£999.99
51mm X Solar£999.99 - no Sapphire glassN/A

Differences Between Pro, Standard, Sapphire, Titanium and Solar

Garmin has introduced a pro model this year, don’t get too exciting, it doesn’t add some fancy new features. Instead, the standard model has features stripped out of it.

The base model of each size will now lack onboard storage for music, and also Wi-Fi.

Once you get to the 51mm X that has Wi-Fi and music as standard.

The Solar model sits at the very top of the range, and as the name suggests it has some for of solar charging, which can have a dramatic effect on the battery life depending on which mode you are in. The Amazon listing stated that the Solar edition that features Power Glass but that is all we know about the specifics of this tech.

StandardProSapphireSapphire Solar
Maps (basic)NoYesYesYes
Maps (skiing)NoYesYesYes
Maps (golf)NoYesYesYes
Internal storage64 MB32 GB32 GB32 GB
Music playerNoYesYesYes
Deezer / SpotifyNoYesYesYes
Wi-FiNoYesYesYes
Watch glassGorilla GlassGorilla GlassSapphire GlassSapphire Glass
Solar / Power GlassNoNoNoYes

What has it copied from the Forerunner 945?

  • Added PulseOx (pulse oximeter data): Within Fenix lineup it was previously only on the Fenix 5X Plus variant
  • Added Respiration Rate (post-activity, also as a data field): With chest strap only
  • Added new Garmin ELEVATE optical HR sensor: This is the V3, same as MARQ/FR245/945 sensor.
  • Added training load focus stats: Shows how workouts benefits a given target/focus area
  • Added deeper training effect details/metrics: Further details on the impact of a workout
  • Added body battery functionality: Kinda like Street Fighter body energy levels
  • Added heat acclimation: For any workouts in temps over 71°F/21.6°C
  • Added altitude acclimation: For any time or workouts spent above 850m/2,788ft
  • Added Incident Detection: If you crash your bike it notifies someone (this was recently added to the Fenix 5 Plus via firmware update)
  • Added Safety/Tracking Assistance: You can press button to send help alert to friends/family (this was recently added to the Fenix 5 Plus via firmware update)
  • Revamped race predictor to be a bit more strict on predictions (more than just VO2Max lookup charts now)
  • VO2Max now compensates for heat: Previous it didn’t
  • Training Status now compensates for heat: Previously it didn’t
  • Redesigned a bunch of the user interface, especially for post workout stat

What else is new on the Fenix 6 series?

  • Split product line into two portions: Pro and Base. Pro has WiFi, Maps, Music, Golf Maps
  • There are three sizes of watches: 42mm (Fenix 6s), 47mm (Fenix 6), 51mm (Fenix 6X)
  • Adds solar charging to Fenix 6 Pro Solar: Termed “Power Glass”, this will increased battery life on sunnier days
  • Adds Trendline Popularity Routing Visibility (Pro): This allows you to actually see the ‘heatmaps’ on your device
  • Adds map display themes: This includes high contrast, popularity, marine, dark, and outdoor.
  • Adds new widget glances concept: Basically shrinks widgets to 1/3rd the screen size, so you can see three at once
  • Adds new PacePro feature: This replaces old-school paper race pace bands, creating pace targets for race-based on grade/reverse splits/etc…
  • Adds a new Power Manager feature: Gives detailed information about the impacts/tradeoffs of features on battery life
  • Adds new Power Modes feature: Allows you to create custom power/battery modes, with time remaining per activity
  • Adds new MARQ Expedition ultra-long mode: For multi-week GPS activities. Basically shuts off everything except reduced rate GPS tracking
  • Adds ski resort maps: These started on the MARQ series, with 2,000 ski resorts worldwide
  • Adds golf maps pre-loaded: Previously you had to manually load these one by one, also, more detailed golf features
  • Adds support for wrist-based swimming HR: This was teased recently on the FR945 beta updates
  • Adds new ultra-low battery mode: Gets up to 80 days of battery life, but super basic watch functionality only
  • Revamped ClimbPro with new colouring: Now matches the Edge 530/830 styling
  • Increased data fields per page: Up to 8 fields on the 6X, and up to 6 fields on the 6S/6
  • Increased screen size and reduced bezel (varies by model, but up to 36% bigger screen size on the 6X
  • Reduced ‘lug to lug distance’ on Fenix 6S: This should help those with smaller wrists, more on this later
  • Reduced thickness of all devices. The 6S shrunk by 10%, the 6 by 7%, and the 6X by 15%.
  • Changed from MediaTek GPS chipset to Sony GPS Chipset: Like every other new Garmin 2019 device
  • Battery life increased: Up to 80 days in battery saver mode for 6X, and up to 120hrs in max battery mode for 6X, all before solar (see full chart below)

It is worth noting that most of the software features of the Fenix 6 will be made available to the FR945, in particular, this includes PacePro and the new power modes.

How has the design changed?

The basic design has stayed the same, which is not a bad thing, the Fenix range is, in my opinion, the best looking multisports watch and also best-looking smartwatch on the market.

The overall screen size has improved though, and in some cases, there is a small increase in resolution. The 6S stays at 1.2″ and 240×240, but the 6 is increased to 1.3″ and 260 x 260 and the 6X goes to 1.4″ 280 x 280.

My Fenix 5S vs 6S Sapphire
Fenix 6 Pro vs my old Fenix 5S
6 data screens vs 4 on the 5S

The forerunner 945 has a 1.2″ screen and 240 x 240 pixels.

The screw features are in the same place with two screws near the activity button, then singular screws to the bottom right, bottom and top right.

Obviously, in comparison to the FR945, the design is very different. The Fenix range is much more adaptable for casual use, I particularly love the Fenix 5S design. This does come at the cost of weight though, and the 5S weighs 64g while the FR945 weighs 50g. The 5X Plus then goes up to 96g.

The new Elevate optical HRM sensor

Heart rate sensor on the Forerunner 945 via DCRainmaiker

The Garmin Fenix 6 copies all the features from the FR945, this includes the new Elevate HRM sensor that can be used for Pulse Ox.

For altitude acclimation or sleep monitoring, a Pulse Ox2 sensor uses light beams at your wrist to gauge how well your body is absorbing oxygen.

Training Load & Load Focus

Now I have been using the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro for a couple of weeks, one of the more noticeable differences is the improvements to training load compared to the Fenix 5 series. Previously I was just told what state of productivity I was in and not much else.

Now there is load focus which shows the load of high and low aerobic plus anaerobic exercise. More importantly, it provides some feedback to why you are in the current load category.

So in my case, currently I am classed as unproductive, even though my load is high, this seems to relate to poor performance on the bike last week but it is also advising me for better nutrition and stress management.

These features will also apply to the FR945.

How has the GPS changed?

As expected the Fenix 6 uses the new Sony GPS chip that was introduced with the FR945, this is supposed to be more battery efficient, and it probably helps with these new battery modes.

There is also access multiple global navigation satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo) to track in more challenging environments than GPS alone.

On top of this, there is an altimeter for elevation data, barometer to monitor weather and three-axis electronic compass.

Have the maps improved?

The 5 Plus series included full-colour TopoActive Europe mapping preloaded with map data optimized for at-a-glance navigation and location tracking.

The Fenix 6 has some additional mapping features including ski resort maps: These started on the MARQ series, with 2,000 ski resorts worldwide

Use TopoActive Europe maps to navigate your adventures and view run names and difficulty ratings for 2,000 worldwide ski resorts.

Within the Fenix 6 series, Garmin has introduced the concept of ‘Map Themes’, which allow you to change the styling of the map in real-time. For example, you can go from the default styling to a night styling. Or to a high contrast styling. This feature should become available on the FR945 via an update.

What FirstBeat features are there?

The Fenix 6, Forerunner 945 and Marq all have 18 Firstbeat features. For all intents and purposes, the Fenix 6 is the same as the FR945.

FirstBeat featureFR945 & MARQ & Fenix 6Fenix 5 & 5PlusFenix 3HR
VO2max Fitness LevelYesYesYes
Lactate ThresholdYesYesYes
Functional Threshold Power (FTP)YesYes
Training Effect: AerobicYesYesYes
Training Effect: AnaerobicYesYes
Real-Time Performance ConditionYesYesYes
Calories BurnedYesYesYes
Training LoadYesYes
Training StatusYesYes
Training Load BalanceYes
Workout LabelsYes
Recovery Time AdvisorYesYesYes
Quick Stress Level TestYesYesYes
All-day Stress & RecoveryYesYes
Heat and Altitude AcclimatizationYes
Body ResourcesYes
Race Time PredictorYes
Respiration RateYes
Personalized Training Plans: Cardio
Sleep Quality Assessment
Fitness Age
TOTAL FEATURES18127

The new PacePro feature

A first-of-its-kind PacePro feature helps keep you on pace with grade-adjusted guidance as you run a course.

However, it is not quite what we had expected. From DC Rainmaker:

PacePro is not grade adjusted pace – despite how many times people keep writing it. In fact, it’s both much simpler and much more powerful than that. It takes the concept of pace bands that any marathoner is undoubtedly familiar with and makes it all electronic. But even more than that, it automatically calculates each split (miles or kilometers) based on the elevation profile of the course you’re doing. In turn, you then get individual split targets for each mile based.

On top of this you can tweak: Intensity of hills (how hard you run them), and then whether you positive or negative split the race/course.

To get the most out of it you need to create your pace strategy on the course you are running. So for my Chester Marathon, I set a conservative target of 3h30 and then used positive splits, however, the pace was tweaked accounting for the gradient changes throughout the course.

Chester Marathon PacePro Stratagy
Chester Marathon PacePro Strategy

What is the battery life?

The new Fenix 6 Series improves battery life across the board, but it also introduces some new power management modes (which will become available for the FR945)

Fenix 6 Battery life

  • Smartwatch: Up to 14 days
  • GPS: Up to 36h
  • Max Battery GPS Mode: 72h
  • Expedition GPS Mode: 28 days
  • Battery Saver Watch Mode: 48 days

There will then be a special battery mode which allows the watches to accommodate some truly amazing results. In one mode this will be 20, 28, and 46 days (+1 for Solar).

Then in the next battery mode, it is claimed to achieve 34, 48 and 80 days (+ 40 Solar). I can only assume, if true, this shuts down almost every aspect of the watch.

GPS tracking is reported as 25h, 36h and 60h (+6 for Solar).

The current 5X Plus has 20 days in smartwatch mode and 13 hours in GPS, the leaked Solar images indicate 21 days, and assuming Solar means what everyone expects it to, then the Solar function adds around 5% to the battery life.

The original 5X had up to 12 days in smartwatch mode (depending on settings), up to 20 hours in GPS.

The Forerunner 945 has up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode, 10 hours in GPS mode with music or up to 60 hours in UltraTrac mode,

6S Basic / Pro / Sapphire6 Basic / Pro / Sapphire6X Pro / Sapphire6X Sapphire Solar
GPS25 h36 h60 h60 + 6 h
GPS + music6 h10 h15 h15 + 1 h
UltraTrac50 h72 h120 h120 + 28 h
Smartwatch mode9 days14 days21 days21 + 3 days
Exposure mode20 days28 days46 days46 + 10 days
Economy mode34 days48 days80 days80 + 40 days

Has the display changed?

The display size is larger on both the 6X and 6 as previously mentioned. Now at 1.4” and 1.3” respectively vs 1.2” on the previous models.

The FR945 has a 240 x 240 pixels display at 30.4mm which matches the 5X and 5X plus.

The Fenix 6 has had a bump in resolution to 260×260 and the 6X now has 280×280. As shown earlier(and below), this helps the watches have more data screens.

Smart Features

The smart features stay the same from the last generation and match the FR945..

The 5 Plus series uses 16GB of storage. The FR945 doesn’t state the amount but lists Up to 1,000 songs. A memory upgrade is a possible option, though I don’t see the need, 16GB is a lot of music and maps. Though more storage is always handy.

What is the price & release date?

The Fenix 6 Series has launched and all the watches are available, though the stock for the Solar model in the UK seems to be hard to come by.

[content-egg module=Amazon template=list]

Currently, the Garmin Fenix 5 Plus costs £479.00 on Amazon  and it has been as low as £399.99.

The FR945 is £519.99 from Wiggle, with the RRP you are paying a £70 premium for the Fenix 6 when comparing the closest matching Fenix, the 6 Pro.

The RRP pricing compared to the Fenix 5 Pro, is about the same. You can get the Fenix 6 cheaper than the original Fenix 5 prices, but you lose out on Wi-Fi, maps and music.

The base Pro models are the same as the equivalent 5 Plus models. If you want the largest 6X model, this is technically a little cheaper, the Sapphire works out at £50 cheaper. However, the Sapphire models of the other models are more expensive.

6 Series5 Plus
42mm S£529.99N/A
42mm S Pro£599.99£599.99
42mm S Sapphire£699.99£649.99
42mm S Sapphire Luxury Straps£799.99£749
47mm£529.99N/A
47mm Pro£599.99£599.99
47mm Sapphire£699.99£649.99
47mm Sapphire Titanium£899.99£749
51mm X Sapphire£749.99£799.99
51mm X Titanium/Luxy band£899.99£999.99
51mm X Solar£999.99 - no Sapphire glassN/A

Which Garmin watch should I buy?

This is purely subjective, dependant on your planned usage and all the watches are a great choice regardless.

As a tightfisted northerner, you will get better bang for your buck from buying the last generation. If you have some patience and can wait a few months, you can likely save hundreds. The Fenix 5 Plus series launched in June last year, by December, the priced dropped from £599 to £475 on Amazon. It then hit £450 in January and £400 for Prime day, 1 year after launch.

Currently, during Black Friday the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro is £40 down from RRP at £554.80 which is a decent price and reduced the price difference between the FR945 down to just £35.

The Fenix 5 Plus is also a bargain at £399.

If you want a watch right now, if you want it more for sports rather than a good looking watch on your wrist, then the FR945 is almost identical once the software updates are pushed through. Its lighter nature arguably makes it superior for sports too.

Buy the Forerunner 945 from Wiggle

If money is less of a concern, then you can’t really fault the Fenix 6 range. Even though I bought the F6 Pro myself, I’d argue the S and X models are the stand out choices. The smaller S model is the most attractive and works well for slim wrists, while you get that insane battery life on the X models. The standard Fenix 6 Pro, is perhaps a little too close to the FR945 to justify the cost, but again, this is subjective.

Fenix 6 vs Forerunner 945 vs Fenix 5 Plus DCRainmaker Feature Comparison

FUNCTION/FEATUREGARMIN FENIX 6 SERIESGARMIN FORERUNNER 945GARMIN FENIX 5 PLUS (5/5S/5X)
PRICE£529.99, £599.99, £649.99
£519.99£350 (currently)
ACTUAL AVAILABILITY/SHIPPING DATEAUG 29TH, 2019EARLY MAY 2019JUNE 17TH, 2018
GPS RECORDING FUNCTIONALITYYES (WITH GALILEO TOO)YES (WITH GALILEO TOO)YES (WITH GALILEO TOO)
DATA TRANSFERUSB/BLUETOOTH SMART/WIFI ON PRO ONLYUSB/BLUETOOTH SMART/WIFIUSB/BLUETOOTH SMART/WIFI
WATERPROOFINGYES - 100MYES - 50MYES - 100M
BATTERY LIFE (GPS)25HRS TO 148HRS (DEPENDS ON MODEL)36HRS GPS, 60HRS ULTRATRACUP TO 32HRS IN GPS-ON, UP TO 85HRS IN ULTRATRAC GPS (VARIES BY MODEL)
RECORDING INTERVAL1S OR SMART1S OR SMART1S OR SMART
SATELLITE PRE-LOADING VIA COMPUTERYESYESYES
QUICK SATELLITE RECEPTIONGREATGREATGREAT
ALERTSVIBRATE/SOUND/VISUALVIBRATE/SOUND/VISUALVIBRATE/SOUND/VISUAL
BACKLIGHT GREATNESSGREATGREATGREAT
ABILITY TO DOWNLOAD CUSTOM APPS TO UNIT/DEVICEYESYESYES
ACTS AS DAILY ACTIVITY MONITOR (STEPS, ETC...)YESYESYES
CAN CONTROL PHONE MUSICYESYESYES
HAS MUSIC STORAGE AND PLAYBACKYES (PRO ONLY)YESYES
STREAMING SERVICESIHEARTRADIO, SPOTIFY, DEEZER, AMAZON (PRO ONLY)IHEARTRADIO, SPOTIFY, DEEZERIHEARTRADIO, SPOTIFY, DEEZER
PAYMENTSGARMIN FENIX 6 SERIESGARMIN FORERUNNER 945GARMIN FENIX 5 PLUS (5/5S/5X)
CONTACTLESS-NFC PAYMENTSYESYESYES
BLUETOOTH LEGACY (PRE-4.0) TO PHONENONONO
BLUETOOTH SMART (4.0+) TO PHONE UPLOADINGYESYESYES
PHONE NOTIFICATIONS TO UNIT (I.E. TEXTS/CALLS/ETC...)YESYESYES
LIVE TRACKING (STREAMING LOCATION TO WEBSITE)YESYESYES
GROUP TRACKINGYESYESYES
EMERGENCY/SOS MESSAGE NOTIFICATION (FROM WATCH TO CONTACTS)YES (VIA PHONE)YES (VIA PHONE)NO
BUILT-IN CELLULAR CHIP (NO PHONE REQUIRED)NONONO
DESIGNED FOR CYCLINGYESYESYES
POWER METER CAPABLEYESYESYES
POWER METER CONFIGURATION/CALIBRATION OPTIONSYESYESYES
POWER METER TSS/NP/IFYESYESYES
SPEED/CADENCE SENSOR CAPABLEYESYESYES
STRAVA SEGMENTS LIVE ON DEVICEYESYESYES
CRASH DETECTIONYESYESNO
RUNNINGGARMIN FENIX 6 SERIESGARMIN FORERUNNER 945GARMIN FENIX 5 PLUS (5/5S/5X)
DESIGNED FOR RUNNINGYESYESYES
FOOTPOD CAPABLE (FOR TREADMILLS)YESYESYES
RUNNING DYNAMICS (VERTICAL OSCILLATION, GROUND CONTACT TIME, ETC...)WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI OR HRM-RUN (NOT VIA OPTICAL HR)WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI OR HRM-RUN (NOT VIA OPTICAL HR)WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI OR HRM-RUN (NOT VIA OPTICAL HR)
RUNNING POWERWITH EXTRA SENSORWITH EXTRA SENSORWITH EXTRA SENSOR
VO2MAX ESTIMATIONYESYESYES
RACE PREDICTORYES, PLUS PACEPROYESYES
RECOVERY ADVISORYESYESYES
RUN/WALK MODEYESYESYES
DESIGNED FOR SWIMMINGYESYESYES
OPENWATER SWIMMING MODEYESYESYES
LAP/INDOOR DISTANCE TRACKINGYESYESYES
RECORD HR UNDERWATERYES (WITH OPTICAL HR OR HRM-TRI/HRM-SWIM)WITH HRM-TRI/HRM-SWIM (NOT WITH OPTICAL HR)WITH HRM-TRI/HRM-SWIM (NOT WITH OPTICAL HR)
OPENWATER METRICS (STROKE/ETC.)YESYESYES
INDOOR METRICS (STROKE/ETC.)YESYESYES
INDOOR DRILL MODEYESYESYES
INDOOR AUTO-PAUSE FEATURENO (IT'LL SHOW REST TIME AFTERWARDS THOUGH)NO (IT'LL SHOW REST TIME AFTERWARDS THOUGH)NO (IT'LL SHOW REST TIME AFTERWARDS THOUGH)
CHANGE POOL SIZEYESYESYES
INDOOR MIN/MAX POOL LENGTHS14M/15Y TO 150Y/M14M/15Y TO 150Y/M14M/15Y TO 150Y/M
ABILITY TO CUSTOMIZE DATA FIELDSYESYESYES
CAN CHANGE YARDS TO METERSYESYESYES
CAPTURES PER LENGTH DATA - INDOORSYESYESYES
INDOOR ALERTSYESYESYES
TRIATHLONGARMIN FENIX 6 SERIESGARMIN FORERUNNER 945GARMIN FENIX 5 PLUS (5/5S/5X)
DESIGNED FOR TRIATHLONYESYESYES
MULTISPORT MODEYESYESYES
WORKOUTSGARMIN FENIX 6 SERIESGARMIN FORERUNNER 945GARMIN FENIX 5 PLUS (5/5S/5X)
CREATE/FOLLOW CUSTOM WORKOUTSYESYESYES
ON-UNIT INTERVAL FEATUREYESYESYES
TRAINING CALENDAR FUNCTIONALITYYESYESYES
FUNCTIONSGARMIN FENIX 6 SERIESGARMIN FORERUNNER 945GARMIN FENIX 5 PLUS (5/5S/5X)
AUTO START/STOPYESYESYES
VIRTUAL PARTNER FEATUREYESYESYES
VIRTUAL RACER FEATUREYESYESYES
RECORDS PR'S - PERSONAL RECORDS (DIFF THAN HISTORY)YESYESYES
DAY TO DAY WATCH ABILITYYESYESYES
HUNTING/FISHING/OCEAN DATAYESYESYES
TIDAL TABLES (TIDE INFORMATION)NONONO
JUMPMASTER MODE (PARACHUTING)YESYESYES
GEOCACHINGVIA GPS COORDINATESVIA GPS COORDINATESVIA GPS COORDINATES
WEATHER DISPLAY (LIVE DATA)YESYESYES
NAVIGATEGARMIN FENIX 6 SERIESGARMIN FORERUNNER 945GARMIN FENIX 5 PLUS (5/5S/5X)
FOLLOW GPS TRACK (COURSES/WAYPOINTS)YESYESYES
MARKERS/WAYPOINT DIRECTIONYESYESYES
ROUTABLE/VISUAL MAPS (LIKE CAR GPS)YES (PRO ONLY)YESYES
BACK TO STARTYESYESYES
IMPROMPTU ROUND TRIP ROUTE CREATIONYES (PRO ONLY)YESYES
DOWNLOAD COURSES/ROUTES FROM PHONE TO UNITYESYESYES
SENSORSGARMIN FENIX 6 SERIESGARMIN FORERUNNER 945GARMIN FENIX 5 PLUS (5/5S/5X)
ALTIMETER TYPEBAROMETRICBAROMETRICBAROMETRIC
COMPASS TYPEMAGNETICMAGNETICMAGNETIC
OPTICAL HEART RATE SENSOR INTERNALLYYESYESYES
PULSE OXIMETRY (AKA PULSE OX)YESYESFENIX 5X PLUS ONLY
HEART RATE STRAP COMPATIBLEYESYESYES
ANT+ HEART RATE STRAP CAPABLEYESYESYES
ANT+ SPEED/CADENCE CAPABLEYESYESYES
ANT+ FOOTPOD CAPABLEYESYESYES
ANT+ POWER METER CAPABLEYESYESYES
ANT+ WEIGHT SCALE CAPABLENONONO
ANT+ FITNESS EQUIPMENT (GYM)NONONO
ANT+ LIGHTING CONTROLYESYESYES
ANT+ BIKE RADAR INTEGRATIONYESYESYES
ANT+ TRAINER CONTROL (FE-C)NONONO
ANT+ REMOTE CONTROLNO (CAN CONTROL VIRB THOUGH)NO (CAN CONTROL VIRB THOUGH)NO (CAN CONTROL VIRB THOUGH)
ANT+ EBIKE COMPATIBILITYNONONO
ANT+ MUSCLE OXYGEN (I.E. MOXY/BSX)YESYESYES
ANT+ GEAR SHIFTING (I.E. SRAM ETAP)YESYESYES
SHIMANO DI2 SHIFTINGYESYESYES
BLUETOOTH SMART HR STRAP CAPABLEYESYESYES
BLUETOOTH SMART SPEED/CADENCE CAPABLEYESYESYES
BLUETOOTH SMART FOOTPOD CAPABLEYESYESYES
BLUETOOTH SMART POWER METER CAPABLEYESYESYES
TEMP RECORDING (INTERNAL SENSOR)YESYESYES
TEMP RECORDING (EXTERNAL SENSOR)YESYESYES
COMPATIBLE WITH FIRSTBEAT HR TOOLSYESYESYES
PC APPLICATIONGARMIN EXPRESSGARMIN EXPRESSGARMIN EXPRESS
WEB APPLICATIONGARMIN CONNECTGARMIN CONNECTGARMIN CONNECT
PHONE APPIOS/ANDROID/WINDOWS PHONEIOS/ANDROID/WINDOWS PHONEIOS/ANDROID/WINDOWS PHONE
ABILITY TO EXPORT SETTINGSNONONO

Full Specification Comparison Table

ModelForerunner 9456S Pro6S Sapphire6 Pro6 Sapphire6X Pro6X Sapphire6X Solar
Size47mm42mm42mm47mm47mm51mm51mm51mm
GlassGorilla Glass DXGorilla Glass 3SapphireGorilla Glass 3SapphireGorilla Glass 3SapphireGorilla Glass 3
SolarNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYes
Price520600700600700650750849.99
Resolution240x240240x240240x240260x260260x260280x280280x280280x280
Smartwatch BatteryUp to 2 weeksUp to 9 daysUp to 9 daysUp to 14 daysUp to 14 daysUp to 21 daysUp to 21 daysUp to 21 days +3 days*
GPSUp to 36 hoursUp to 25 hoursUp to 25 hoursUp to 36 hoursUp to 36 hoursUp to 60 hoursUp to 60 hoursUp to 60 hours +6 hours**
GPS and MusicUp to 10 hoursUp to 6 hoursUp to 6 hoursUp to 10 hoursUp to 10 hoursUp to 15 hoursUp to 15 hoursUp to 15 hours +1 hour**
Max Battery GPS Mode72 hours50 hours50 hours72 hours72 hours120 hours120 hours120 hours + 28 hours**
Expedition GPS Activity28 days20 days20 days28 days28 days46 days46 days46 days + 10 days**
Battery Saver Watch Mode48 days34 days34 days48 days48 days80 days80 days80 days + 40 days*
Water Rating5 ATM10 ATM10 ATM10 ATM10 ATM10 ATM10 ATM10 ATM
Memory/History16 GB32 GB32 GB32 GB32 GB32 GB32 GB32 GB
Golfing FeaturesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Battery Saver ModesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Ski MapsNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYes
Sight 'N GoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
PaceProYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Expedition GPS ActivityNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Underwater Wrist-Based Heart RateYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Advanced Vector SupportYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Swimming/Running ProfileNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Data Fields Visible66666888
Widgets Visible13333333
Trendline Popularlity VisNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Map ThemesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYes

Updates:

  • [Update 25/08/2019] An eCommerce site in Uruguay has listed the fēnix 6 Pro for $804 with a launch date of September 6th 2019. Perhaps not the most trustworthy of sources, it could be an SEO tactic, but the 6th is the first official day of IFA, and many companies make their announcements on the 4th and 5th. So this date makes more sense than the previous 29th of August release. Screenshot and link at the bottom of the page.
  • [Update 27/08/2019] GPSCity listed all the product range including the Venu and Vivoactive 4, confirming pricing. Clever Training also listed the watch, confirming everything already, but this is the most reputable source yet.
  • [30-September-2019] Refreshed content including some comparisons from personal usuge.

Last update on 2024-03-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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