Garmin has announced the fenix 6 series, the next generation of their GPS smartwatch lineup. According to the brand, the fenix 6 collection includes Power Manager for longer battery life, allows runners to compensate for elevation changes with new PacePro technology, and introduces the largest round display from Garmin. They are also adding solar charging to their top of the line model.
The Garmin fenix line of watches is no stranger to group runs, adventures and the starting lines of major races around the world for a decade.
Base Features of the Garmin fēnix 6
The fenix 6 series receives alerts for incoming calls, texts, and emails by enabling smart notifications. All models also include Garmin Pay, a contactless payment solution that can now be used at major transit systems around the world. Commuters simply tap and pay per ride with their watch — no transit card, phone or wallet needed.
All models include a wrist-based heart-rate monitor for all-day stress tracking. Plus, it works underwater for swimming and has Pulse Ox² blood-oxygen saturation monitoring, advanced sleep monitoring, and altitude acclimation. The watch line’s Body Battery energy-monitoring feature lets users see their body’s energy levels at any given moment.
Using a combination of data gathered from stress, heart-rate variability, sleep, and activity, a higher Body Battery indicates the time is optimal to be active whereas a lower number suggests rest is in order. Body Battery assists users in making sense of patterns, demonstrating how behaviors and activities of the past few days influence how one feels at a given moment.
Garmin fenix 6X Pro Solar
The entire line is not solar. But Garmin’s premier offering in the fenix 6 line does carry what the brand calls “Power Glass.” This transparent, solar-charging lens uses the sun’s energy to extend battery life. The fenix 6X and fenix 6X Pro Solar have a 1.4-inch sunlight-readable display. It’s 36 percent bigger than that of previous fenix 5X models.
Users can check the latest solar input right on the wrist so they know in real time how much solar energy the Power Glass has been exposed to.
“We are thrilled to introduce solar charging into the new fenix 6X Pro Solar edition, giving users all of the features they’ve come to expect from the fenix lineup with increased battery life and larger displays,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales.
Garmin fenix 6 Series: Pro & Sapphire
Sapphire editions add the quality and durability of a scratch-resistant sapphire lens and other high-performance premium materials.
No longer will you regret running that hill to fast. The fenix 6 series introduces a first-of-its-kind PacePro feature. It keeps a runner’s pacing strategy on track with grade-adjusted guidance during the course. Runners can create plans directly from the watch or ahead of time on Garmin Connect or Garmin Connect Mobile.
Out of the box, the fenix 6 series includes topographic maps for outdoor adventures. It also has ski maps for more than 2,000 ski resorts worldwide, and 41,000 golf courses. The series features on-device music storage of up to 2,000 songs, allowing users to sync playlists from several of the most popular music services2, no phone required.
While running, users can see their target split pace, the actual split pace, distance to the next split, and how much time they are ahead or behind on their target, right on the watch face.
fenix 6 Power Management
The Power Manager allows the user to see and control how various settings and sensors impact battery life. The battery remaining can be represented in hours and days. Users can adjust their battery-saving modes, which disable certain features to extend battery life on the fly.
The new line looks slick and we want one! If its battery management and solar charging component prove useful, it will certainly remain a top choice among premiere smartwatches.
Garmin fenix 6 Series Pricing
The Garmin fenix 6 line comes in at the high end of the fitness watch market. It starts out at $600 for the most basic fenix 6.
If basic is not for you, they do offer other options, but the prices start high and quickly escalate. The fenix 6 Pro chimes in at $700, and the Pro Sapphire edition cost a more then a cheap car at $800. Want to go top of the line? The fenix 6X Pro Solar (which is the one you obviously want) carries a $1,150 price tag, which for some people is a months income.
