Garmin fēnix 5 vs Garmin fēnix 6

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

fēnix 5 compared with fēnix 6
Garminfēnix 5Garminfēnix 6
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2017August 2019
Display
Case sizes47 mm47 mm
PanelMemory-in-pixelMemory-in-pixel
Always-on displayYesYes
Display detail1.2-inch (30.5 mm) always-on transflective colour display, 240 x 240 pixels, with button controls.1.3-inch (33.02 mm) always-on transflective colour memory-in-pixel display, 260 x 260 pixels, with five buttons.
Screen protection–Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
Health and fitness
ECGNoNo
Blood oxygenNoYes
Skin temperatureNoNo
Sleep apnoea alertsNoNo
High blood pressure alertsNoNo
Body compositionNoNo
Fall detectionNoNo
Crash detectionNoNo
GPSSingle-bandSingle-band
Water resistance100 m100 m
SensorsGPS, GLONASS, Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate, barometric altimeter, three-axis compass, gyroscope, accelerometer and thermometer.GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate, Pulse Ox, barometric altimeter, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer and thermometer.
Health featuresWrist heart rate, steps, sleep and stress tracking.Pulse Ox for sleep or altitude acclimation, sleep, stress and Body Battery energy monitoring.
Fitness featuresRunning, cycling, pool and open-water swimming, skiing, golf and paddle-sport profiles; training status, training effect, VO2 max, recovery advisor and course/track navigation. Running dynamics require a compatible heart-rate strap.Running and cycling metrics, multisport profiles, ClimbPro, PacePro, power manager, expedition GPS mode and course navigation.
Safety features–Incident detection and assistance require a paired smartphone.
Battery and connections
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 14 daysUp to 14 days
Mobile data optionNoNo
Works withiPhone and AndroidiPhone and Android
Battery life detailUp to 14 days in smartwatch mode, 21 hours in GPS mode or 44 hours in UltraTrac with wrist heart rate on, according to the Singapore product specification.Up to 14 days in smartwatch mode, 36 hours in GPS mode or 48 days in battery saver watch mode.
ChargingRechargeable lithium-ion battery.Internal rechargeable lithium battery.
ConnectivityANT+ and Bluetooth smartphone pairing; smart notifications, Garmin Connect and Connect IQ; phone music controls.Bluetooth Smart and ANT+; smart notifications, Connect IQ, Garmin Pay and phone music controls. The standard model does not store music.
Design
Weight (lightest version)85 g80 g (better)
SoftwareGarminGarmin
Case materialsStainless steel bezel, buttons and rear case with silicone band; 10 ATM water rating.Stainless steel bezel, fibre-reinforced polymer case with metal rear cover and silicone band; 10 ATM water rating.
Size47 x 47 x 15.5 mm; 85 g with silicone band.47 x 47 x 14.7 mm; 80 g with silicone band, 57 g case only.
BandsQuickFit interchangeable band.QuickFit 22 mm band; silicone band fits wrists 125–208 mm.
ColoursGrey case with black silicone band.Silver bezel with black case and band.

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