Garmin Unisex-Smartwatch Digital 32012868

Product Information

All watches in the Fenix 6 and Fenix 7 lines have color memory-in-pixel (MIP) displays. These aren't as bright as the AMOLED screens used by devices like the Garmin Venu 2 and Garmin Epix, but they use significantly less power. This results in longer battery life, which is a big advantage for watches built with extensive GPS use in mind.

It truly is a watch made for the adventurer. It might not be the prettiest out there, but this will be the last thing on the mind of those seriously considering investing in this device and looking to get the most out of it. The Fenix 6S’s reduced case size does lead to one major difference over its bigger brothers – battery life. There is quite a large pay-off in terms of longevity from opting for the 42mm device. This isn’t a Garmin problem, it’s the same for any optical sensor on the market and it’s not going to change anytime soon. All in all, these nifty software tweaks work really well in helping to extend the Fenix 6’s life while cramming in a host of (more demanding) features. But is the Fenix 6S still a worthy sports watch and are there any sacrifices made to enable this smaller build? Let’s find out.Elsewhere it’s all the same as a standard Fenix. There’s no touchscreen, instead, there’s the five-button array which works just the same as the rest of the Fenix devices. It’s generally pretty easy to use – although the huge array of options and customization the Fenix offers is more often than not hidden behind a very opaque menu system. Garmin knows this, and new users will get irritating “tips” displayed on the watch. And the analytics is insane. Running offers top-notch dynamics and VO2 Max analysis, including Training Effect, Training Status, HRV, stress, Body Battery, recovery, and even recommendations on the types of workouts missing in your weekly plan. Open-water swim metrics (distance, pace, stroke count/rate, stroke distance, swim efficiency (SWOLF), calories) The Garmin Fenix 6 comes in three sizes, from 42mm to 52mm in diameter (Image credit: TechRadar) Garmin Fenix 6 price and release date

When you are ready to run, you can load this PacePro data and use it to monitor your pace in real-time. The display will show your target split pace, your current split pace, and how far off you are from your overall goal. You also can see the distance remaining on the current split. PacePro was immensely useful during my runs, keeping me focused on a single lap at a time instead of the total length of my run. It also helped me slow down on steep mountain runs allowing me to conserve energy on the inclines and make up time on the downhills. For mountain runners who want to take the guess work out of pacing, this feature is a godsend. Vertical oscillation and ratio (the degree of 'bounce' in your running motion and the cost-benefit ratio with stride length)Power meter compatible (displays power data from compatible third-party ANT+ -enabled power meters) If you’re an athlete who does multiple sports, buying a fitness watch can be overwhelming. As someone who loves to surf and SUP but also run, swim, and cycle, I searched for months for a watch that can do it all. For a while, I even joined forums and groups dedicated to Garmin watches (apparently it’s a thing). Finally, I settled on the Garmin Fenix 6S Sapphire as my everyday surf and fitness watch. The Garmin Fenix 6S is smaller than the Fenix 6 and 6X models, making it one of the best Garmin watches for women or athletes who prefer a sleeker watch. One of the big differences between the Garmin Fenix 6 over the Fenix 5 is power management, and this has been streamlined. Landmarks are quite neat, and you can pan/zoom using the buttons, although this is quite a faff the small screen means that by the time you've zoomed out to see something (anything) useful, it's too small to work with. The Garmin Fenix 6 is lighter than its predecessor, but still has a robust build (Image credit: TechRadar)

The biggest design upgrade, however, can be seen on the display, which is now 17% larger, jumping from a 1.2-inch, 240 x 240 resolution display to a larger 1.3-inch, 260 x 260 offering. While that doesn’t sound like much, it does mean that fitness information is displayed in a much more intuitive way than before as it can now show extra (customizable) data fields.There's a new forged metal guard around the start button on the Garmin Fenix 7, which is designed to protect it from damage and help prevent accidental presses. I actually have quite wide wrists and small watches look ridiculous on me, however I really like the 42mm screen size option for those with smaller wrists. There’s also a 47mm and 51mm option.