Fitness Gadgets Wearables for your connected health Our Garmin Fenix 6 comparison shows important differences between the numerous model variants, as it is not easy to decide between a Fenix 6, 6S, 6X, Base, and Pro version at face value. In this article, we will compare and unpack the models and also give some tips on how to make the right Fenix 6 choice.
Here you can find our detailed Garmin Fenix 6 Review.
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Garmin Fenix 6 Comparison: The Model Variants
The easiest way to distinguish between the 19 models available at the beginning is to look at the two new model lines. There is a Base- and a Pro-line with some striking differences that should be kept in mind. Below are more detailed descriptions of the features:
- Base
- 2 housing sizes
- 42 mm (Fenix 6S)
- 47 mm (Fenix 6)
- no WLAN, no music options and no cards
- only available with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, no sapphire
- no re-routing when leaving a track, because there are no maps on the smartwatch
- Track creation only possible before on Garmin Connect
- PacePro can only be planned and configured via the Garmin Connect app
- Solar Editions for every case size now available
- The base models available here:
- 2 housing sizes
- Pro
- 3 Housing Sizes
- 42 mm (Fenix 6S Pro)
- 47 mm (Fenix 6 Pro)
- 51 mm (Fenix 6X Pro and Fenix 6X Pro Solar)
- the name of the model must contain the word “Pro
- pre-installed map of Europe as well as worldwide golf and ski maps and turn-by-turn navigation
- Course creation on the clock on-the-fly possible
- PacePro can be created and configured directly on the watch
- WLAN, Garmin music streaming, internal memory for music files
- Saphir Edition available in every case size
- Solar Edition available in any size
- Models with a housing size of 51 mm (6X Pro/6X Pro Solar) offer a resolution of 280 x 280 pixels. This allows the simultaneous display of max. 8 instead of max. 6 data fields.
- The Pro models are available here:
- 3 Housing Sizes
Further down in this article we compare the most important facts of the different models also in tabular form and help you to make your choice if you are still unsure which model fits best.
So which Fenix 6 model should you choose? Well, it’s actually quite simple: people with narrower wrists or with the desire for a flatter sports watch should choose the Fenix 6S Base (42 mm) models. For all others, we recommend the Fenix 6 Base (47 mm). If one of the Pro features is important to you, choose one of the Pro versions: Fenix 6S Pro or Fenix 6 Pro, especially if maps and route corrections in real time are important for you, a Pro model is recommended.
If extremely long battery life is an important criterion, one should actually keep an eye on the Fenix 6X Pro or even the 6X Pro Solar (both 51 mm), as the battery life is considerably better with these, but the smartwatch is bigger and heavier. All Fenix models have the new power manager, which allows you to adjust the battery life, but only the 6X Pro and the solar version (approx. +10%) give a little more. Under certain circumstances, the 6X Pro Solar offers several days more runtime compared to the 6X Pro.
Sapphire crystal or Gorilla Glass 3?
Among the Pro models, you can choose between Sapphire➚ crystal or Corning Gorilla Glass 3➚. If you can’t decide, here are some important distinguishing features:
- Sapphire crystal is considered to be particularly scratch-resistant. Scratches on the display are therefore less likely compared to Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
- Owners of both models report that the color contrast is similarly good when the display is viewed well, but that the sapphire crystal may reflect slightly more light depending on the viewing angle. In some cases, this can impair readability. We have the sapphire variant in the Fenix 6 test on-site and don’t feel disturbed by reflections. The readability was practically always a given so far.
PacePro: Fenix 6 Base or Fenix 6 Pro?
Whether Fenix 6 or Fenix 6 Pro: all models support the feature PacePro, which is important for a running strategy. The difference is that this feature and the route planning in the base models can only be planned and influenced via the browser/app, whereas the Pro models allow the creation of a route including PacePro configuration right on the clock. Most athletes will probably create the course on their computer anyway and then download it to their watch because it is simply more comfortable. But, if you want full flexibility, you will have to go for a Pro version.
In short about PacePro: this function allows better planning of the running strategy by setting an individually controllable target space for each section of a race based on the distance/altitude profile. Athletes can also specify, among other things, whether they want to tackle climbs moderately or ambitiously. The function thus provides a very good overview of whether the user is doing well or rather poorly in a section.
Garmin Fenix 6: Fact check
The wide range of models and the countless options create a lot of confusion in our opinion. Therefore, the following is a comparison table at the end, which compares important features of the main models Garmin Fenix 6s, Fenix 6, Fenix 6s Pro, Fenix 6 Pro and Fenix 6X Pro: