Garmin Fenix 5 vs 6 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Smart Watch

Garmin Fenix 6 & Garmin Fenix 5 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Garmin Fenix 6 rather than the Garmin Fenix 5. 

Why Do I Recommend The Garmin Fenix 6

  • The Garmin Fenix 7 has a 1.3 inch display, which allows clearer, more vibrant visuals and enhanced readability compared to the Fenix 5’s 1.2-inch display.
  • It has a faster custom-designed processor, which navigates through menus, loads apps, and uses advanced features quickly and smoothly, while the Fenix 5’s processor is slower.
  • The Fenix 6 offers up to 36 hours of battery life(GPS) for long-time use without charging, which is significantly longer than the Fenix 5‘s up to 24 hours.
  • Additionally, The Fenix 6 has 16 GB internal storage, allowing more room for maps, apps, and music, compared to the Fenix 5’s 64 MB of internal storage.
  • The Garmin Fenix 6 features advanced battery management modes, including Max Battery GPS, Expedition, and Battery Saver, while the Fenix 5 lacks these options.
  • Garmin Fenix 6 features PacePro technology for real-time pacing guidance adjusted by gradient, which is absent on the Fenix 5.
  • It has multi-GNSS support, including GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo for better tracking accuracy and signal stability, whereas the Fenix 5 supports only GPS and GLONASS.
  • The Garmin Fenix 6 features advanced training metrics, including VO2 max adjustments for heat and altitude and the Body Battery Energy Monitor, while the Fenix 5 lacks these features.

Maybe the Garmin Fenix 5 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Garmin Fenix 6. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

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Side By Side Comparison

Feature Garmin Fenix 6 Garmin Fenix 5
Release Year 2019 2017
Display Type Transflective MIP Transflective MIP
Display Size 1.3 inches 1.2 inches
Display Resolution 260 x 260 240 x 240
Lens Material Corning Gorilla Glass DX / Sapphire Chemically strengthened glass / Sapphire
Weight 83 g 85 g
Battery Life (GPS) Up to 36 hours Up to 24 hours
Battery Life (GPS + Music) Up to 10 hours Not Available
Battery Life (Max Battery GPS) Up to 72 hours Not Available
Battery Life (Expedition) Up to 28 days Not Available
Battery Life (Battery Saver) Up to 48 days Not Available
Solar Charging Yes Not Available
Music Storage Up to 2,000 songs Not Available
Wi-Fi Yes Not Available
Mapping Capability Full-color topographic maps Not Available
PacePro Technology Yes No
Pulse Ox Sensor Yes No
Power Manager Yes No
VO2 Max Adjustment Heat and Altitude Basic VO2 max
Body Battery Energy Monitor Yes No
Garmin Pay Yes No
Connectivity Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi Bluetooth, ANT+
GPS Accuracy Multi-GNSS support GPS, GLONASS
Navigation Features ClimbPro, Round-Trip Routing, Turn-by-Turn Navigation Basic Navigation
Activity Profiles Trail Running, Mountain Biking, Backcountry Skiing Standard Outdoor and Fitness Profiles
Heart Rate Sensor Garmin Elevate v3 Garmin Elevate v2
Sleep Tracking Advanced Sleep Monitoring Basic Sleep Tracking
Price Check Fenix 6 Price Check Fenix 5 Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Brand and Series: Both are part of Garmin’s Fenix series, designed for rugged, multi-sport use, known for durability and extensive outdoor tracking features.
  • Display Technology: Both use Transflective Memory-In-Pixel (MIP) displays, ensuring excellent sunlight readability and low power consumption for outdoor activities.
  • Water Resistance: Both watches have a 10 ATM water resistance rating, allowing usage during swimming and water activities up to 100 meters.
  • Heart Rate Monitoring: Both models feature wrist-based heart rate monitoring, providing real-time heart rate data without the need for a chest strap.
  • GPS and Navigation: Both support GPS and GLONASS for precise location tracking and navigation, making them reliable for outdoor adventures.
  • Advanced Sensors: Each watch includes a barometric altimeter, gyroscope, accelerometer, thermometer, and compass, enabling accurate tracking of elevation, movement, temperature, and orientation.
  • Multi-Sport and Activity Tracking: Both support multi-sport modes, including running, cycling, swimming, and hiking, while also tracking daily activities like steps, distance, and calories burned.
  • Smart Features: Both watches offer smart notifications, allowing users to receive calls, texts, and app alerts when paired with a compatible smartphone.
  • Fitness Metrics: Both models feature VO2 Max, Training Status, Training Load, and Recovery Time, helping users monitor cardiovascular fitness, training effectiveness, and recovery.
  • Workout Functions: Both watches support interval training, Virtual Partner for pacing, and customizable data screens to personalize workout metrics.
  • Connectivity: Both models support Bluetooth and ANT+ for syncing with smartphones and external sensors, ensuring seamless connectivity.
  • Smartphone Compatibility: Both are compatible with iOS and Android devices, offering flexibility in usage across different mobile ecosystems.
  • Garmin Connect Support: Both sync with Garmin Connect for activity tracking, data analysis, and insights, allowing users to review performance metrics.
  • Garmin IQ Apps: Both support Garmin IQ for adding custom watch faces, data fields, and third-party apps to enhance functionality.
  • Live Tracking: Both models feature live tracking, allowing friends and family to follow your location during outdoor activities.
  • Music Control: Both watches offer the ability to control smartphone music, allowing users to change tracks and adjust volume directly from the watch.
  • Battery Saver Mode: Both models include a basic battery saver mode to extend usage by disabling non-essential features when needed.

Common Features

Feature Garmin Fenix 6 Garmin Fenix 5
Brand Garmin Garmin
Series Fenix Fenix
Operating System Proprietary Garmin OS Proprietary Garmin OS
Display Type Transflective Memory-In-Pixel Transflective Memory-In-Pixel
Water Resistance 10 ATM 10 ATM
Heart Rate Monitoring Wrist-based HR sensor Wrist-based HR sensor
GPS Navigation GPS and GLONASS GPS and GLONASS
Barometric Altimeter Yes Yes
Gyroscope Yes Yes
Accelerometer Yes Yes
Thermometer Yes Yes
Compass Yes Yes
Multi-Sport Modes Yes Yes
Customizable Data Screens Yes Yes
Activity Tracking Steps, Calories, Distance Steps, Calories, Distance
Sleep Tracking Yes Yes
Smart Notifications Yes Yes
Connectivity Bluetooth, ANT+ Bluetooth, ANT+
Live Tracking Yes Yes
Garmin Connect Support Yes Yes
Garmin IQ Apps Yes Yes
Fitness Age Yes Yes
VO2 Max Measurement Yes Yes
Training Status/Load Yes Yes
Recovery Time Yes Yes
Virtual Partner Yes Yes
Interval Training Yes Yes
Automatic Sync Yes Yes
Music Control (via phone) Yes Yes
Smartphone Compatibility iOS and Android iOS and Android
Battery Saver Mode Yes Yes
Price Check Fenix 6 Price Check Fenix 5 Price

FAQ

Can I use both Garmin Fenix 6 and Fenix 5 for swimming?
Yes, both Garmin Fenix 6 and Fenix 5 are suitable for swimming as they feature a 10 ATM water resistance rating. This means they can withstand water pressure equivalent to a depth of 100 meters, making them suitable for pool and open-water swimming.

Are the bands interchangeable between Fenix 6 and Fenix 5?
Yes, both watches use Garmin’s QuickFit band system, allowing users to easily swap bands without any tools. You can choose from a variety of materials, including silicone, leather, and metal. Make sure to select the correct band size that matches your specific model.

Do both watches support music playback?
Only the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro models support onboard music storage and playback, allowing you to store up to 2,000 songs. The standard Fenix 6 and all Fenix 5 models do not have built-in music storage, but both can control music playing on your smartphone.

Can I make contactless payments with both watches?
Garmin Pay, the contactless payment feature, is available only on the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro models. The standard Fenix 6 and Fenix 5 do not support Garmin Pay.

Do both models track heart rate during swimming?
Yes, both the Garmin Fenix 6 and Fenix 5 can track heart rate during swimming when using a compatible HRM-Tri or HRM-Swim chest strap. The built-in wrist-based heart rate sensor may not be accurate in water, so a dedicated chest strap is recommended.

Which watch has better battery life?
The Garmin Fenix 6 generally offers better battery life compared to the Fenix 5, especially in GPS and smart modes. The Fenix 6 can last up to 36 hours in GPS mode, while the Fenix 5 lasts around 24 hours. Additionally, the Fenix 6 offers advanced battery management features, including Battery Saver and Expedition modes, as well as solar charging in the Fenix 6X Pro Solar version.

Can I view maps on both watches?
Full-color topographic maps are available only on the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro and 6X Pro models. The standard Fenix 6 and Fenix 5 do not have built-in maps, but both can display breadcrumb navigation and basic route tracking.

Are both watches compatible with Garmin Connect?
Yes, both watches are fully compatible with Garmin Connect, allowing users to sync their activity data, track progress, and analyze workouts. Garmin Connect also supports updates and adding apps through Garmin IQ.

Do both watches have Pulse Ox monitoring?
The Garmin Fenix 6 offers Pulse Ox monitoring on selected models, allowing users to measure blood oxygen saturation, which is particularly useful during high-altitude activities. The Garmin Fenix 5 does not have a Pulse Ox sensor.

Can I track sleep with both watches?
Yes, both the Garmin Fenix 6 and Fenix 5 offer sleep tracking. However, the Fenix 6 provides more advanced sleep insights, including sleep stages and pulse oxygen data (on models with Pulse Ox), whereas the Fenix 5 provides basic sleep tracking.

Do both watches support smartwatch notifications?
Yes, both watches can display notifications such as calls, texts, emails, and app alerts when connected to a compatible smartphone. You can customize which notifications you want to receive on both devices.

Is the Fenix 6 heavier than the Fenix 5?
The weight difference is minimal. The Fenix 6 typically weighs around 83 grams, while the Fenix 5 weighs about 85 grams. The Fenix 6X model is slightly heavier at around 93 grams due to its larger size and added features like solar charging.

Can both watches monitor oxygen levels during sleep?
Only the Garmin Fenix 6 models with Pulse Ox sensors can monitor blood oxygen levels during sleep, providing insights into oxygen saturation. The Garmin Fenix 5 does not have this feature.

Which watch is better for long-distance hiking?
The Garmin Fenix 6 is generally better suited for long-distance hiking due to its extended battery life in GPS mode, solar charging option (Fenix 6X Pro Solar), and advanced navigation features like ClimbPro and full-color topographic maps on Pro models. The Fenix 5, while reliable, lacks some of these advanced features.

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