Garmin Fenix 6S Pro vs 6 Pro vs 6X Pro – What’s the Difference?

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Just like the Fenix 5 series, the Garmin Fenix 6 series is made up of three main members; the smaller Fenix 6s, the medium-sized Fenix 6, and the bulkier Fenix 6X. Each of these comes in four different models except for the Fenix 6X which is available in three models. You get a base model which lacks music storage and maps, a Pro edition that allows for onboard music storage, and premium sapphire and solar editions. Every member of the Fenix 6 series is rugged and durably built. Each of the units is also loaded with lots of activity tracking features plus equipped with long battery life. In this post, we’re comparing the differences between Garmin Fenix 6S Pro vs 6 Pro vs 6X Pro to help you make a more informed decision.

There are 11 members in the Fenix 6 series as listed below. The differences between the respective models come in the ability to preload music and load maps. Meanwhile, the Sapphire edition has a premium sapphire screen and Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) coated bezel. The Solar edition has a power glass that supports solar charging plus a titanium bezel.

In other words, the Standard editions of all three sizes are the cheapest because they lack music storage and the ability to load maps. The Pro, Sapphire, and Solar editions allow for music storage and maps, and as a result, they are priced higher with the Solar edition having the longest battery life and also the most expensive.

  1. Garmin Fenix 6s, 6s Pro, 6s Pro Sapphire and 6s Pro Solar.
  2. Garmin Fenix 6, 6 Pro, 6 Pro Sapphire and 6 Pro Solar.
  3. Garmin Fenix 6x Pro, 6x Pro Sapphire and 6x Pro Solar.

Garmin Fenix 6S Pro vs 6 Pro vs 6X Pro: Specifications Compared

 
 
Product Info
Garmin Fenix 6S Pro full Specs

Garmin Fenix 6S Pro Specifications, Features and Price

Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Specs, prices and features

Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Specifications, Features and Price

Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Specifications, Features and Price

Price $576.58 $599.99 $419.99
ABOUT DEVICE ABOUT DEVICE ABOUT DEVICE ABOUT DEVICE
Device name Garmin Fenix 6S Pro Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Garmin Fenix 6X Pro
Device type Fitness/Sport smartwatch Fitness/Sport smartwatch Fitness/Sport smartwatch
Gender Women Men Men
Release date September, 2019 September, 2019 September, 2019
Predecessor Garmin Fenix 5S Plus Garmin Fenix 5 Plus Garmin Fenix 5X Plus
Successor
Versions
BODY BODY BODY BODY
Dimension 42 x 42 x 13.8 mm 47 x 47 x 14.7 mm 51 x 51 x 14.9 mm
Weight 61 grams 83 grams 93 grams
Shape Circular Circular Circular
Case material Fiber-reinforced polymer Fiber-reinforced polymer Fiber-reinforced polymer
Strap material Nylon, Silicone, Suede Leather, Nylon, Silicone, Titanium Leather, Nylon, Silicone, Titanium
Bezel material DLC, Stainless steel DLC, Stainless steel, Titanium DLC, Stainless steel
Strap size 20 mm 22 mm 26 mm
Interchangeable strap 20mm, Yes 22 mm, Yes 26 mm, Yes
Screen protection Corning Gorilla Glass DX, Sapphire glass Corning Gorilla Glass DX, Sapphire glass Corning Gorilla Glass DX, Sapphire glass
Water resistance 10 ATM 10 ATM 10 ATM
Durability test MIL-STD-810G MIL-STD-810G MIL-STD-810G
Swim-proof Yes, recommended Yes, recommended Yes, recommended
Color Black Black Black
DISPLAY DISPLAY DISPLAY DISPLAY
Display size 1.2 inches 1.3 inches 1.4 inches
Display type LCD, Memory-in-pixel (MIP), transflective LCD, Memory-in-pixel (MIP), transflective LCD, Memory-in-pixel (MIP), transflective
Display resolution 240 x 240 px 260 x 260 px 280 x 280 px
Pixel density
Always on Yes Yes Yes
Custom watch face Yes Yes Yes
Input type 5 Physical buttons 5 Physical buttons 5 Physical buttons
CONNECTIVITY CONNECTIVITY CONNECTIVITY CONNECTIVITY
Bluetooth ANT+, Bluetooth ANT+, Bluetooth ANT+, Bluetooth
Bluetooth calling No No No
GPS Galileo, GLONASS, GPS Galileo, GLONASS, GPS Galileo, GLONASS, GPS
NFC Yes Yes Yes
Wi-Fi Yes Yes Yes
MEMORY MEMORY MEMORY MEMORY
RAM
ROM 32GB 32GB 32GB
Memory card slot No No No
CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY
Technology None None None
SIM type None None None
Band
NOTIFICATIONS NOTIFICATIONS NOTIFICATIONS NOTIFICATIONS
SMS alert Yes Yes Yes
Calls alert Yes Yes Yes
Email alert Yes Yes Yes
Event reminder Yes Yes Yes
Third-party apps alert Yes Yes Yes
Reply to Notifications - - -
MEDIA MEDIA MEDIA MEDIA
Audio mp3/mp4 mp3/mp4 mp3/mp4
Bluetooth music Yes Yes Yes
Loudspeaker No No No
Microphone No No No
Camera No No No
Radio No No No
SENSORS SENSORS SENSORS SENSORS
Sensor(s) Thermometer
ACTIVITY TRACKING ACTIVITY TRACKING ACTIVITY TRACKING ACTIVITY TRACKING
Blood oxygen Yes Yes Yes
Blood Pressure No No No
Calories Yes Yes Yes
Distance Yes Yes Yes
ECG tracking No No No
Heart rate monitoring Yes Yes Yes
Sleep tracking Yes Yes Yes
Steps Yes Yes Yes
Floors climbed Yes Yes Yes
Stress Yes Yes Yes
Fall detection Yes Yes Yes
Menstrual cycle Yes Yes Yes
VO2 Max Yes Yes Yes
Swim-tracking Yes Yes Yes
Underwater heart rate tracking Yes Yes Yes
On-screen workout Yes Yes Yes
Sport modes Yes Yes Yes
BATTERY BATTERY BATTERY BATTERY
Battery type non-removable Lithium-polymer non-removable Lithium-polymer non-removable Lithium-polymer
Battery capacity
Battery life Battery saver mode: 34 days, Expedition GPS mode: 20 days, Smartwatch mode: up to 9 days Battery saver mode: 48 days, Expedition GPS mode: 28 days, Smartwatch mode: up to 14 days Battery saver mode: 80 days, Expedition GPS mode: 46 days, Smartwatch mode: up to 21 days
Charging type Charging dock Charging dock Charging dock
Charging time 1-2 hours 1-2 hours 1-2 hours
Solar charging No No No
PLATFORM PLATFORM PLATFORM PLATFORM
Chipset
CPU
GPU
Operating system Proprietary OS Proprietary OS Proprietary OS
MISC MISC MISC MISC
Companion app Garmin Connect Garmin Connect Garmin Connect
Compatibility Android 5.0+, iOS 11.0+ Android 5.0+, iOS 11.0+ Android 5.0+, iOS 11.0+
Payment system Garmin Pay Garmin Pay Garmin Pay
Voice command No No No
Find my phone Yes Yes Yes
Box content Charger, Garmin Fenix 6S Pro, Manual, Straps Charger, Garmin Fenix 6 Pro, Manual, Straps Charger, Garmin Fenix 6X Pro, Manual, Straps

Garmin Fenix 6S Pro vs 6 Pro vs 6X Pro: Fitness Tracking Features

Garmin Fenix 6s ProGarmin Fenix 6 ProGarmin Fenix 6x Pro
Activity Tracking Features

Steps counter, floors climbed, fitness age, Move IQ
intensity minutes and distanced traveled.
YesYesYes
Body Battery Energy Monitor

Lets you see your body’s energy levels throughout the day so you can find the best times for activity and rest.
YesYesYes
Pulse OX Sensor

The Pulse Ox sensor gauges your blood oxygen saturation during the day and as you sleep to show how well your body is absorbing oxygen.
YesYesYes
Stress Tracking

Helps you find out if you’re having a calm, balanced or stressful day. Relax reminders will even prompt you to do a short breathing activity when you’re feeling stressed.
YesYesYes
Menstrual Cycle Tracking

Lets you use the Garmin Connect™ app to track your cycle, log physical and emotional symptoms and learn about training and nutrition during each phase of your cycle. Even get cycle tracking information on your wrist.
YesYesYes
Hydration Tracking

Log your daily fluid intake as a reminder to stay hydrated. You can even have an auto goal for hydration that adjusts based on how much sweat you lose during activities — even underwater.
YesYesYes
Respiration Tracking

See how you’re breathing throughout the day, during sleep and during breath-work and yoga activities.
YesYesYes
Advanced Sleep Monitoring

Get a full picture of how you’re sleeping, with a breakdown of your light, deep and REM sleep stages as well as Pulse Ox and respiration data
YesYesYes
Heart Rate Tracking

The watch constantly samples your heart rate2 and will alert you if it stays high while you’re at rest. It also helps gauge how hard you work during activities even underwater.
YesYesYes
Mindful Breathing

When you want to relax or focus, you can start a breath-work activity, and this watch will track your stress and respiration to help you get a better understanding of how you’re breathing.
YesYesYes
On-Screen Animated Workout Modes

Easy-to-follow, animated cardio, strength, yoga and Pilates workouts come preloaded on the watch, and you can download more from the Garmin Connect app.
YesYesYes
Preloaded Workout Modes

Track all the ways you move with more than 20 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps — including walking, running, cycling, pool swimming, golf and more.
YesYesYes
Garmin Coach

Get a personal running coach on your wrist, for free, to help you train for your next 5K, 10K or half-marathon.
YesYesYes
Safety and Tracking Features

When your watch and phone are paired, your live location can be sent to your contacts manually or — during outdoor activities — automatically with built-in incident detection.

Also Livetrack, Group LiveTrack and Live event sharing allow you to invite other to join you in your training.
YesYesYes
Gym & Fitness Equipment

Available gym profiles; Strength, Cardio and Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Floor Climbing, Indoor Rowing, Pilates and Yoga.
Yes and moreYes and moreYes and more
Training, Planning and Analysis Features

Available run profiles; Running, Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running, Trail Running.

GPS speed and distance, customizable activity profiles, advanced training, VO2 Max., heat and altitude acclimation, training load, training effect, auto and manual mutisport activities, Garmin and Strava live segments.
Yes and moreYes and moreYes and more
ClimbPro Feature

Use ClimbPro ascent planner on downloaded courses to see real-time information on your current and upcoming climbs, including gradient, distance and elevation gain.
YesYesYes
Outdoor Recreation Features

Outdoor recreational features include hiking, climbing, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, XC skiing, stand up paddleboarding, rowing, kayaking, jumpmaster, tactical
Yes and moreYes and moreYes and more
Multi-GNSS Support

Access multiple global navigation satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo) to track in more challenging environments than GPS alone.
YesYesYes
TOPO Maps

Preloaded Topographical (TOPO) maps allow you use TOPO maps with Trendline Popularity Routing to find the best routes and navigate your adventures effortlessly
YesYesYes
Ski Maps

Preloaded Ski maps allow you view run names and difficulty ratings for 2,000 worldwide ski resorts.
YesYesYes
Round-trip Routing
Enter a distance you want to travel, and get suggested routes that will bring you back to your starting point. Trendline™ popularity routing helps you find the best local paths.
YesYesYes
Turn-by-turn Navigation

Follow a route or course with help from turn-by-turn directions, which let you know ahead of time when the next turn is coming.
YesYesYes
ABC sensors

Navigate your next trail with ABC sensors, including an altimeter for elevation data, barometer to monitor weather and three-axis electronic compass
YesYesYes
Running Features

Available run profiles include running, treadmill running, indoor track running, trail running
Yes and moreYes and moreYes and more
PACEPRO Technology

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

Access full-color CourseView maps for more than 41,000 golf courses around the world, and get button targeting and the PlaysLike Distance feature.
YesYesYes
Swimming Features

Available swimming profiles; pool swimming, open water swimming, swimming/running.

Other features include; tracks metrics such as distance, pace, stroke count, stroke distance and SWOLF.
YesYesYes
Underwater Wrist-based Heart Rate Tracking

Features underwater wrist-based heart rate tracking that helps you manage your swimming intensity.
YesYesYes
Altimeter

Floors climbed
YesYesYes

Garmin Fenix 6S Pro vs 6 Pro vs 6X Pro: Battery Life

Fenix 6S ProFenix 6 ProFenix 6X Pro
Smartwatch: Up to 9 days
GPS: Up to 25 hours
GPS and Music: Up to 6 hours
Max Battery GPS Mode: 50 hours
Expedition GPS Activity: 20 days
Battery Saver Watch Mode: 34 days
Smartwatch: Up to 14 days
GPS: Up to 36 hours
GPS and Music: Up to 10 hours
Max Battery GPS Mode: 72 hours
Expedition GPS Activity: 28 days
Battery Saver Watch Mode: 48 days
Smartwatch: Up to 21 days
GPS: Up to 60 hours
GPS and Music: Up to 15 hours
Max Battery GPS Mode: 120 hours
Expedition GPS Activity: 46 days
Battery Saver Watch Mode: 80 days

What’s the Difference?

Garmin Fenix 6S Pro vs 6 Pro vs 6X Pro
The Fenix 6s unit is the most compact, but has the shortest battery life.
  1. The 42mm Fenix 6S Pro with the smallest case size is the most compact, it also weighs the least and is slimmer than the other two which makes it the most comfortable wear out of these three. This makes the 6S Pro the best choice for women and those with smaller wrist sizes.
  2. The Fenix 6X Pro with a 1.4-inch display has a slightly bigger display size than the other two which allows you to see more at a glance.
  3. As a result of its bigger size, the Fenix 6X Pro has the longest battery life that allows you to go longer from a single charge.

In other words, all three smartwatches are outstanding in design, features, and long battery life. However, going by the varying sizes, your preferred choice would basically depend on your wrist size.

And if you want longer battery life, the Fenix 6X units offer the longest battery life.