If you’ve read plenty of my GPS watch reviews before, you will already know that Garmin is a brand that comes up fairly frequently. They are one of the leading names in specialist fitness and GPS watch technology right now – and the Fenix range, entering its sixth iteration, remains a really popular choice.
Garmin still manages to hold up well against the likes of Apple and Samsung on the whole when it comes to smart functionality – but what is it about the Fenix 6 that attracts so many people? A step beyond the already fantastic Fenix 5S, the sapphire variation on the 6 looks just as good and comes with just as many features.
More About The Garmin Fenix 6 Sapphire
The Garmin Fenix 6 is one of the latest innovations from Garmin, and as such, it makes use of some of the latest technology their engineers have to hand. Much like the Instinct, the Fenix 6 takes a walk on the rugged side of things!
It seems to bring together the style of the Fenix 5S and the Instinct fairly well – but it’s the GPS and mapping which really grabbed my attention, personally.
Not only does this watch have enhanced training via the PacePro technology on-board, it also offers preloaded maps. I’m going to dive into this side of things in a bit more detail below, so keep reading, and let’s take a look at the key specs and stats.
Specifications and Essential Facts
- Manufacturer: Garmin
- Weight: 2.88oz
- Dimensions: 1.85 inches x 1.85 inches x 0.58 inches
- Added Features: GarminPay, PacePro training, built-in maps, heart rate, sleep monitor, 48 days max battery life
What are the Best Features / Main Selling Points of the Garmin Fenix 6 Sapphire?
I’d firstly like to mention the battery power – perhaps a little dull to lead in with, but Garmin’s innovations are getting better and better in this regard. The Fenix 5S in itself was a leader in incredible battery life, however, the Fenix 6 boasts a maximum of 48 days per charge in pure watch mode.
In GPS, you can expect up to 28 days of use in one go via expedition mode. Otherwise, you can generally expect 10 hours per charge for intensive GPS.
GarminPay is another great feature here that’s going to sweep more and more into Garmin devices as time goes by. That means, in an era beyond the COVID pandemic, you can easily pay in-store, contactless, with your wrist.
The PacePro functionality on board here allows you to gradually train up while walking without having to use any additional apps or programs. Everything you need is right here in the watch itself – and, in fact, it’s worth mentioning that the dial design is spectacular at lining everything up with ease. It’s intuitive to use and easy on the eye.
The coup de grâce for me, personally, is the mapping data that arrives at board the Fenix 6. Not only do you have access to basic GPS, Galileo and GLONASS for high precision tracking, you also benefit from preloaded topography for use when walking, skiing and more besides. In fact, there are more than 2,000 different ski resorts built in and ready to go.
That’s all without mentioning the rugged look and build of this watch, which will likely appeal to those buyers who thought the Fenix 5 was maybe a little too sleek.
What are the Benefits of Using the Garmin Fenix 6 Sapphire?
The Fenix 6 Sapphire aims to bring everything together in one package. It’s easily the most impressive GPS watch that Garmin has produced thus far, meaning the $600+ price tag is likely to be worth the money. Few other GPS watches and exercise trackers have the ability to tap into three layers of satellites just to track your location!
The battery life is a major plus for anyone who may have found their devices dying out long before the walk or run is over. Garmin has plenty of edge over Apple in this regard, meaning that you likely won’t have to charge your Fenix 6 for weeks if you’re just using the smartwatch mode.
I like the additional training functions in here and the fact that you can so easily access all the best features from the main screen – without the center of the dial getting overcrowded. It’s actually very innovative from a design perspective!
It’s also well worth buying if you want to measure your altitude, your heart health, and if you’re worrying about getting enough sleep. The degree of accuracy that the Fenix 6 works to is pretty impressive on the whole!
Does the Garmin Fenix 6 Sapphire Have Any Drawbacks?
On the whole, the Fenix 6 performs well in tests and seems to have a pretty passionate following. However, there are a few drawbacks scattered here and there which you may want to consider before you go ahead and make a purchase.
Some buyers claim that the Fenix 6 has great features, but that these may not always be so useful in practice. What it intends to do, it does well. However, some users find that they are simply not using all of the functions, total – which is a shame, really!
Therefore, it’s probably worth considering whether a watch like the Fenix 6 is going to be worth your money if you only wish to use it for a few of its landmark features. This is a mid to premium end watch in terms of price, perhaps more expensive than Apple and Samsung in some cases, meaning I highly recommend you look at the features closely before you pay.
Would I recommend the Fenix 6 over the 5 or the Instinct? Yes. The GPS technology here is at its peak, and I feel the design and usability of the watch far outstrips its peers, too – as well as much of the competition.
I do understand some claims people have regarding the Fenix 6 and all of its many, many features – but the multi-feature approach is precisely what a lot of watch buyers will be looking for!
Conclusion – Should I Buy The Garmin Fenix 6 Sapphire?
I’d seriously recommend you invest in the Garmin Fenix 6 if you feel that you need a little more support in terms of tracking and precision monitoring. While plenty of Garmin watches keep track of where you are and how far you’ve come, the Fenix 6 does this with such panache that it’s hard not to get drawn in.
I also love the simplicity of the main screen. The way all of your major features are clearly mapped to different areas of the dial is a fantastic touch – it doesn’t distract from the center, and at the same time, it doesn’t take you forever to find where you need to be.
The Fenix 6 is a premium GPS smartwatch that does more than just track and tell the time. It’s one of the latest innovations from Garmin that clearly shows the team are looking more and more to the future. What could further Fenix watches bring to the table?
