Garmin has a comprehensive list of high-end sports and running watches, and the Fenix 6 Pro is among those that top the list. First designed with a focus on athletes, the F6 Pro has gradually expanded its functionalities and features to match recent smartwatches and fitness trackers to attract a more significant market share.
Garmin has a watch for virtually everyone and has been expanding its line of devices rapidly. However, the Fenix 6 Pro is one watch that has it all.
But does it deserve the hype? Is its sizeable price tag worth it? Keep reading our Garmin Fenix 6 Pro review to learn more.
Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Overview
Key Features
- Advanced training metrics including VO2 Max, recovery advisor, running dynamics, and more
- PacePro technology to act as a pacesetter
- Daily Workout Suggestions
- ClimbPro feature
- Pulse OX Sensor for gauging oxygen saturation in the blood
Specifications
- Display: 1.3 inches diameter
- Resolution: 260 by 260 Pixel, transflective MIP display
- Storage: 32 GB
- Weight: 83 grams
- Battery Life: Rechargeable lithium battery that can last up to 14 days in smartwatch mode, 46 days in battery saver mode, and 10 hours in GPS mode
Activity Tracking Features in the F6 Pro
In most cases, wrist-based tracking is not reliable when monitoring the heart rate, but the Fenix 6 Pro does a commendable job in returning reliable data. Hundreds of reviews appreciate the accuracy of its heart rate monitoring feature terming the measurements as reasonably accurate.
Its GPS tracker feature provides excellent outcomes whether you are cycling, running, or mountaineering. This is probably due to the watch using a GLONASS + GPS tracking system, which uses 24 satellites for added accuracy and precision.
The F6 Pro picks up GPS signal quickly and doesn’t lose it during cycles and runs. It caters to even minor road shifts, so you don’t lose your way.
The 33mm (1.3-inches) screen display six different data fields that shows varying details, including pace, cardiac speed, cadence, total time, lap timer, and distance during runs. You can configure the details set positions in the menu.
In addition, the F6 Pro automatically counts your reps and even predicts what you are doing, thanks to its exercise modes. It uses this data to recommend training styles based on your blood oxygen levels and VO2 score.
What else? The Garmin F6 Pro also tracks your training status, and the data it collects is used to recommend more training types suitable for you.
This watch can track your gym sessions and provide detailed information regarding times you pushed hard and the rest times during workouts. The best part about all these is that the data is relatively easy to understand. Also, there are featured buttons you can use to set and reset your sessions.
Other than that, the F6 Pro also supports the Garmin Coach, an excellent feature that can help you train up to 5K and 10K, or even half marathon. It is possible to alter different plans, and Garmin Coach will alter its recommendations to suit your plans. This training program also supports versatile athletes who can run all three marathons.In a nutshell, the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro is a versatile smartwatch with impressive features that justifies its price.
The Garmin Coach is one of my favorite features, here it is in action below:
Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Design and Interface
Garmin doesn’t compromise on quality when making its phone, and Fenix 6 Pro shows how serious they are with the quality of the material they use on their watches. The watch has a sporty design, less bulky than many other versions, with a slimmed-down outlook.
It appeals more to people who want a watch with a more visible screen that is easy to read. In addition, its solid construction and aesthetic look make it great for outdoor adventures.
The F6 Pro features a robust metal case with wrist straps made of high-quality silicone that is sweatproof and agreeable to the skin, at least as per our experience.
Additionally, it has adjustable buckles on its straps to allow for a comfortable, tighter fit that ensures accurate heart rate reading and sleep tracking.
The case and watch glass are pretty scratch-resistant, to say the least. When it comes to the screen display, the Fenix 6 Pro uses a transflective MIP display. There are several setting options for brightness, and the display is relatively easy to read even in direct sunlight.
Furthermore, this watch is available in different styles, colors, and versions. The sapphire glasses and titanium bezels enhance its look.
There are five buttons to enable you to operate the watch, and all come with clear pressure points. Overall, the smartwatch is not challenging to operate, but you need to learn one or two things to use it flawlessly.
You will find it easy to access different data fields with the arrow keys on the left side of the display. It is easy to configure these data fields, and you can set them to show calorie consumption, heart rate, temperature, or the weather, for example.
Selecting any of the fields you have set will give you access to more detailed information.
In addition, a long press on the light key will give you instant access to numerous functionalities, including music playback and timer. Again, you can configure the keys that long presses trigger.
Overall, the Fenix 6 Pro offers extensive options that can be configured. You can also personalize the display to have features that suit your type of sport.
Sleep Tracking Features
Compared to other brands such as Fitbit and Polar, whose devices offer detailed reports on sleep quality, Garmin is still lagging in this aspect.
The Fenix 6 Pro gives you a breakdown of your sleep – it shows you the hours you had light, deep, and REM sleep as well as the hours you were awake, but beyond that, there is nothing conclusive. All you will get is a graph showing your movement in the night.
Just like many Garmin watches, the F6 Pro doesn’t give accurate sleep tracking reports – you may still end up finding the watch recording periods you are reading or watching TV as light sleep, and this ends up distorting your overall time sleep stats.
However all the same, we think its a great feature because at least you can build your benchmark of what you expect from your sleep in these stats and then you can confirm if you’re getting less or more in the subsequent days, helping you keep track of your sleep as best as you can.
Battery Life and Modes
If there is one thing the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro can boast of is its battery management feature. The F6 Pro can last up to 46 days with a full charge when in battery saver mode. And even in smartwatch mode, this device can last up to two weeks.
In the Max battery mode, which uses the UltraTrac function that records sensor data and points, the F6 Pro can last up to 72 hours.
In GPS mode, the F6 Pro can last up to 36 hours, and thus you don’t have to worry about your smartwatch dying during your workouts as long as it’s fully charged.
Overall, it can track activities for a week without exhausting its battery charge.
Music Storage
Music storage is one of the most compelling features of the Fenix 6 Pro. You can now store different music playlists and do your workouts in a fun-full way.
Its partnership with Spotify allows you to listen to the latest music and sync your playlist across. The option makes music listening more convenient than plugging the watch to your computer using the included cable to transfer files.You get 32 GB of storage, which you can partly use for music storage.
Other Notable Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Features
- Triathlons. Garmin added a dedicated triathlon sports function in the F6 Pro. By default, this feature works like any tri that starts with an open water swim, followed by a bike ride, then run. It also includes transition phases. You can customize the activities per your desires and add more than the three default activities already set.
- PacePro. This feature offers pace guidance to help you stay on track during training. In other words, PacePro analyzes elevation changes during your workouts to calculate a pacing strategy that is created by using a course in the Garmin Connect app.
- Incident Detection and Live Tracking. This is more of a standard feature in Garmin watches and notifies someone if you crash your bike. You can also press a button to alert a friend or family that you had an incident. The live tracking feature is another superb feature that allows selected people to track your whereabouts.
- Smartwatch features such as widgets make it easier to see data in digestible chunks, smart notifications allow you to get texts and calls notifications from your phone, and Gamin Pay integration allows you to make contactless payments.
What We Liked
- Powerful battery life. Fenix F6 Pro can last 14 days on smartwatch mode and 36 hours in GPS mode
- Excellent sports and activity tracking making it great for multi-sport athletes
- The steel and titanium version can remain waterproof up to 100 meters
- Unbeatable durability thanks to its premium design
- Its large display allows you to see stats clearly, even when running
- There is also a PacePro feature best suited for runners who want to race on hill trails. This makes it ideal for endurance athletes
- You can link the watch to your Spotify Premium account and sync your music for entertaining workout sessions
What We Didn’t Like
- Although worth it, it goes without saying that the Fenix 6 Pro is expensive
- The watch is a bit heavy as compared to most of its competitors
Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Comparisons
Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar
The Fenix 6 Pro Solar has a discrete solar panel added to the watch stylishly. The screen and device are similar in size to the Fenix 6 Pro, with the added benefit being the inclusion of a solar panel to improve the battery life.
The 6 Pro lasts 14 days in smartwatch mode and 36 hours in GPS mode, but with the addition of a solar ring, this increases to 16 days and 40 hours of GPS in both modes.
You don’t have to train in blazing sunshine for the panel ring to charge, as the panels are made to optimize the little sunlight they get. You will find the solar intensity widget on the 6 Pro Solar showing you how much sun the watch is getting at any time.
The solar edition costs more than the Standard F6 Pro devices. Whether or not the added cost is sensible depends on your preference for increased battery capacity, but optimistically this will become a standard feature on the Fenix series.
Garmin Fenix 5 Plus
The Garmin Fenix 5 Plus is the nearest equivalent of the Fenix 6 Pro. Fenix 6 Pro is better than 5 Plus in different aspects such as battery performance, not to mention its lighter.
The F5 Plus has a screen resolution of 240 by 240 pixels, which is relatively lower than the F6, which has 260 by 260 pixels.
The internal storage is also smaller (16 GB) in F5 Plus than F6 Pro (32 GB), which gives F6 Pro an edge.
Overall, the F6 Pro is an upgrade to the F5 Plus, but of course, it comes with a higher price tag.
Final Thoughts
The Fenix 6 Pro is a jack of all trades with some limitations in different aspects. It has an accurate heart sensor that delivers detailed recordings of training units accompanied by extensive evaluations and recommendations.
In addition, the F6 not only locates a GPS signal quicker but also doesn’t lose it, thanks to the use of the GPS + GLONASS system.
As a smartwatch, the device can show notifications regarding a number of steps, heart rate, and more while still offering commendable long battery life, thanks to its advanced display technology.
More metrics such as blood oxygen levels, VO2 max, floor climbs, breathing rates, and floor climbs are accurately recorded.
Overall, Garmin Fenix 6 Pro is a fitness smartwatch we can recommend to anyone who wants a multi-sport watch to track their fitness activities and more, both indoor and outdoor. Yes, at first, it is likely to feel a little bit bulky and wrist-intrusive for athletes, but it has all the functionalities a runner needs.
Yet, if you aren’t doing anything outside of running then you might be fine with a Forerunner instead, but if you want the best – here it is. Although if you’re a runner that focuses on endurance and participates in ultramarathons then it won’t be a shabby choice at all due to its incredible battery life.
Marko Rakic is a trail runner and fitness enthusiast from Sydney, Australia. He is the lead writer for The Ultimate Primate and believes the best way to live a happy life is through constantly challenging yourself.
