Garmin v Apple – Choosing a new smartwatch is an exciting prospect, especially when you are investing a large sum of money in getting hold of the newest tech on the market. However, when you are faced with a choice between a Garmin Fenix 6X Pro and an Apple Watch 6, the decision becomes just a bit harder than before! Check out our comparison review to find out which watch offers you the best deal.
Which Has the Best Design – Garmin Fenix 6X Pro or Apple Watch 6?
When it comes to watch design, the Apple Watch 6 still has the iconic Apple look with a few tweaks. This version comes with colorful design choices and continues to offer both 40mm and 44mm versions. The watch itself is the same design as we have seen since the 4 was launched, but the heart rate monitor has been given a revamp and now includes an SP02 monitor as well as the ECG feature that we have come to love.
Garmin has pushed the boat out with the 6X Pro when it comes to design. This beautiful watch is made from a full titanium body and has solar panels to boost battery life when you are out and about on an adventure. The overall feel of the watch will not surprise Garmin fans as it is very similar to Fenix 5, but this does not mean that it is the same because the 6X Pro packs in an awful lot that is new and exciting.
| Garmin Product | Supplier | |
| Fenix 7 | Amazon | View Offer |
| Fenix 7 | eBay | View Offer |
| Fenix 7 | Garmin | View Offer |
| Fenix 7 | Target | View Offer |
What Features Do the Fenix 6X Pro and Apple Watch 6 Offer
With this watch upgrade, Apple has added a ton of new workouts that you can select when you are getting sweaty. The expected GPS is still there, and the move rings are a great way to get an instant idea of how well your day is going from a fitness perspective. You can also check out for a couple of minutes with the ‘Breathe’ capability that can give you a short focus opportunity when you need a time-out.
The Garmin Fenix 6X Pro offers better than ever GPS and a fully upgraded heart rate tracking sensor that works when you are in the water. From a software perspective, everything feels the same as the Fenix 5, but some tweaks have made the watch more user-friendly. In terms of fitness, this is one of the best multi-sport watches on the market, with accurate sensor tracking, a wide range of sport tracking options, and high-quality feedback on the performance of your heart during exercise.
Both the Fenix 6X Pro and the Apple 6 have their own fitness safety features which can be useful for people who prefer to bike, hike, or jog alone. The Apple Watch 6 has Fall Detection, which will create an alert when the smartwatch detects a sudden impact/fall. The watch then brings up the option to send SOS messages to emergency contacts with your location.
This is comparable to Garmin’s Incident Detection and Assistance service, and offers just about the same safety features. Overall, these assistance watch features don’t set the two smartwatches apart from one another.
How Good is the Battery Life on the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro and the Apple Watch 6?
Sadly, Apple has not made the strides forward that we would have expected when it comes to battery life, and you will find that if you opt for this model, then you will need to book in daily charging time so that you aren’t left without power when you need it the most. However, if you are happy to charge every day, then the new fast charge feature will certainly please you!
Garmin Fenix 6X Pro battery life is out of this world when you compare it to the Apple Watch 6! There is a range of different battery modes so that you can select the one that suits your charging needs. First up, in smartwatch mode, you can expect up to 21 days of charge or 60 hours in GPS mode. This means that if you are popping away for the weekend, you will not need to charge you watch when you are away, and if you are not planning on using GPS mode, then you can head off on your annual holiday and know that your watch will last until you arrive home!
Pros and Cons Of the Garmin Fenix 6X Pro and Apple Watch 6
Still struggling to decide which smartwatch to go for? Check out our pros and cons below to get a side-by-side overview of what each watch does well and not so well!
Apple Watch 6 Pros
- Sleep tracking and hand wash tracking are welcome additions
- Good choice of colors
- Comfy watch strap
- Easy to navigate
- Wide range of apps
- Lots of cases to choose from
Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Pros
- Great battery life options
- Beautiful titanium casing
- Easy to navigate
- Waterproof heart rate tracking now available
- Solar panels to boost battery life
Apple Watch 6 Cons
- Blood oxygen monitor not as in-depth as it could be
- Expensive outlay
- Not a new device, more an upgrade of the Apple Watch 5
- Battery life continues to disappoint
Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Cons
- Not a drastic change from the Fenix 5 model
- Lacks stylish finesse
- Expect to pay a lot for this watch
- Niche product for serious adventurers
The Verdict
Choosing between these two watch giants is an incredibly tough decision. Apple offers a reliable device that oozes style and will be the envy of your friends, especially with the new watch strap color options. However, the Garmin Fenix 6X Pro offers expert sports tracking and monitoring that will help you improve your health and wellbeing, even if it doesn’t offer the style that Apple boasts. We also recommend checking whether the new Fenix 7 is out. The expected release date is currently January 2022.
One easy way to decide is to be honest with yourself about the level of sport you are planning to undertake. If you are a multi-sports enthusiast, then the Fenix 6X Pro is a great choice and has been made for you. If you are looking for a watch that can track sports as well as offering lifestyle support, then Apple may be the better choice.
Still unable to decide? Well, if you own an Apple iPhone or iPad, then it makes sense to opt for the Apple Watch, but if you are an Android user, then the Garmin may be better suited. Ultimately, either watch will provide you with enough statistics to help you stay focused and keep in shape, but the final decision comes down to the type of life you want to lead and the tech you need to back it up.
Compare prices and choose your favorite merchant to buy the Apple Watch
| Product | Supplier | |
| Apple Watch 8 | Amazon | Check Price |
| Apple Watch 7 | Amazon | Check Price |
| Apple Watch 7 | eBay | Check Price |
| Watch Ultra | Amazon | Check Price |
| Apple Watch 7 | Apple | View offer |
| Apple Watch 7 | Target | View offer |
| Apple Watch SE 2 | Amazon | View offer |
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Last Updated on January 11, 2023
Emma brings over a decade of freelance copy and content writing experience and is our Editor, Social Media Manager, and regular contributor. Specializing in long-form content such as blogs, articles, lead magnets, and white papers, Emma also provides businesses with email marketing, website copy, and landing pages.