Lots of you asked about the watch band that I have on the fenix 6 Sapphire in the video - this is it! geni.us/fenix6watchband (Amazon affiliate link) Thanks!
I was a loyal apple watch user for many years, and then this last December made the jump to a Fenix. I am SO HAPPY that I changed things up. The fitness tracking is truly amazing. And I have smart notifications disabled and am really enjoying not being so "connected" all the time. :)
When I switched from a Galaxy Watch to the Fenix 6 I was worried I would miss the touch screen. Boy was I wrong. Garmin nails the UI. You don't have to press many buttons because they offer you what you need by default. 6 Month on I'm still surprised and impressed by the ease of use.
I have a samsung galaxy watch 3 and the Strava app keeps glitching when doing weight workouts indoors. It just shuts down and you lose your data. I am considering the Garmin Fenix 6 since i am an avid bike rider and workout often. Can you take calls on the fenix 6?
@@Mindolluin thank you for your response🙏🏾. Much appreciated. That is still okay with me...honestly for the functionality and options of the fenix i am going to get it. I just need to decide which version will serve me best long term.
Maybe it’s a bit much, but I’m using both. Wearing the Apple Watch during the workday, using Apple Pay and taking calls, etc. The smart watch features and integration with the Apple ecosystem are great. Then when I’m working out, hiking, golfing, going off the grid for camping, it’s definitely the tougher fenix 6 sapphire with its maps, better battery life, fitness data, and tougher build. I know I’m fortunate to be able to have both, but they definitely serve different purposes. Love your videos!
@@DesFit You use them both in same manner? I did that to but how you read your data through day then? I mean how you combine your data to get full spectrum of day/week/month. And thanks for video, keep up the good work really helpful videos... 😀
I use the Apple Watch pretty much as an extension of my phone, or sometimes the replacement if I don’t have my phone on me, and then a more capable fitness device for all the sports. Since I use so many different watches I like to use other platforms like TrainingPeaks for a catch-all for all my data, although I do use Garmin devices the most so most of my data is in Garmin Connect.
@@DesFit thx for replay... jep same here just that Im not satisfied that some times I don’t have date not connected to training all in one place like steps, hydration, sleep, ...etc but Apple health connect most of them so 😁. Thought that you maybe have some solutions 😁
I've got the apple watch for not having to carry my phone with me while running but for ultra-marathon training the battery life is not acceptable so I also have the fenix6 just now...I'll see how it goes but I'm so glad to hear other people have gone this same route...
I went from galaxy watch to fenix 5x plus and I m not going back to smart watches! I don’t need to write text or have a phone call on my watch, I prefer the looks, the battery and the training info I get from the fenix + hrm run!
@@andyv6299 Yeah they sure are, but they worth the extra money if you can afford it. If not, you can find better value for money in instinct or forerunner series.
Even though it says superior, it's not. It's only extreme compared to the average population. In the fitness world 58is just average. 64 is pretty good. My biking vo2max is 71 on a 8-10hour running biking, hiking crosstraining. Anything over 60is respectable though. Keep it up
@@stalinjoszef958 I thought my 51 was good lol. The watch tells me 51 is excellent and my fitness age is 20. It was feeling pretty good for the 40 years old me!
@@Astro-ck6mh i have a big background, started doing mtb marathons when I was 8, at 13y i quit for 2years than started again. At that time I was barely fitter than a bodybuilder. I started working on it. It took me 3years consistent hard work, 24/7 dieting to get here where I am now. I actually wanted to become a pro. But I realised it's not worth it. working out 30hours a week just kills everyone mentally and physically and fame is no guarantee in cycling
@@stalinjoszef958 remember that this is estimate. Likely when you do actual VO2 max it would be higher. Also, running or varied VO2 max is different to pure cycling VO2 max...
@@tmjohari No such thing as overkill. I love having all of my data from my activity. The data collected helps with improving your fitness level if you understand what you're looking at. I would get a Garmin for the durability alone versus the apple watch.
I just invested in a Fenix 6 Sapphire. Haven't been active in the smart watch industry for years and have only used Apple Watch Series 1 when it came out (which was very nice). Watched tons of videos on your channel and decided to go on with the Fenix + a Garmin Smart Scale S2 as well. It is just something with the 'Garmin lifestyle' that makes it a lot more valuable. Keep up the good work!
I just owned this watch for last 4 weeks its great gps on activities is all over the place like you have run through somones garden 😜😜but great watch garmin need to fix gps problems
Thanks for your comparison review. I have bought Apple Watch 6 to replace my Venu. So far I pleased with the Heart Rate sensor accuracy of Apple Watch 6 during weight training.
I've been using an Apple Watch 6 for a little over a year and it's annoying needing to charge it every night and constantly having push notifications dinging on my wrist. Just made the switch to the Fenix 6 and while there is a learning curve I'm already liking the additional customization and the 2-week long battery life is mindblowing!
I gave my Apple away after buying it as an upgrade from Fenix 5. Now have Fenix 6 and can’t fault it. Battery life and the ability to drill into data from sleep, riding, running, aerobic and golf make it a clear winner for me. I must admit the screen on the Apple is what made me buy it but it really is a toy on your wrist...and I am not charging a watch every night particular when I am sometimes out in the bush.
I got a garmin Fenix 6 pro too, excellent watch. Also bought the chestnut leather strap which just sets it off nicely, but I would recommend the garmin one - it is a little expensive but has quick release and is absolute quality.
Well I bought the fenix 6 last November and me being a seafarer I am wearing it every single day. So far now the fenix 6 solid construction and no scratches at all. Hands got banged against metal yet no bruise to the watch. I am happy it's worth spending money on fenix 6
interesting video. they've always been very different to me. Last year I bought myself the Fenix 6s and got my mom the Apple Watch. Each watch works for her owner as we each had very different needs fitness/health/wellness/smart watch-wise (me a bit of a sport/fitness fanatic and her a workout newbie).
I purchased the Fenix 6 Sapphire 3 months ago because keeping fit and healthy, was more important than keeping connected. Just recently I have begun to realize just how much we are bombarded with messages and notifications. Buying the Fenix 6 avoided the temptation to obsessively trying to keep connected to everything
i think that you helped me a lot with my decision, i didn't know which one to buy , but now, i very pleasure to don't fall in the deep consumerism from Apple. For every Apple devices they put on the market. i can't wait to start my sports days with my new FENIX!
As you and others noted, two very different watches at their cores. I got a Fenix 6 Solar Pro a week ago, in part due to your review linked in your notes above. For me it’s about outdoor activities and being away from power on the trail for days at a time. I noted that there are a lot of apps available for the Fenix, but as I will likely have my phone along hiking or biking, I do not see the usefulness of duplicating something already covered on my iPhone. The music function is one of those to me as well, but I expect there are people that don’t want to have to bring a phone along, so it gets back to what best meets your needs. I’ve used it for about 45 minutes of activity daily and sleep tracking for a week and still have 30% on the battery. The solar function may add up to two days, depending on sun conditions.
Great analysis of both watches. I use the series 5 and what it basically comes down to is Apple watches are more for the everyday athletes and Garmin Fenix’s are more for the professional athletes - in my humble opinion.
I did a deep analysis ca ,51 year ago when I needed a new sports-watch. Chose Garmin Fenix 5, this was before the 6 came to market. I need a battery that needs charging very seldomly. A watch to mount on my race bike handlebar instead of bike computer. A watch for jogging. And a great app to study data. Garmin Fenix 5 does all that and tons more. And it looks masculine. So, there was no real choice for me in the end. Have used the watch every day since then and remain happy :-) Agree with the comment Garmin 80% sport 20% smart and Apple 20% sport and 80% smart. But, Garmin also makes beautiful smart watches and the run with both IOS and Android phones.
Sir I'm from Kuwait 🇰🇼 and to be honest with you I like your vedio so much and because of your description for both watches I have decided to go with with Garmin watch it's more than enough for me.... Excellent watch ⌚ the garmin instinct it's now my best instrument
This is a great review. To me the biggest advantage to the Garmin is the battery life. I just got the Fenix 6s Pro Solar, and love it. (I had the mid-size Fenix 6 before, but just found it too big for my taste) But my Series 4 Apple Watch lasts a day maximum. The Fenix 6 would easily last 12 days, and the new 6s solar will probably get me a week or so due to the smaller battery. (I just got it, so I haven't optimized the battery usage yet) Yes, there's certain things the AW does WAY better, but overall, the Garmin is a better device IMO.
Hey Des. That was an awesome comparison. Each of the sections segued well and you brought out all the nuances of each watch, user profile and ecosystem. Great video!
I have had both of these watches, the stainless steel / ceramic Apple Watch 6 gps/cellular working along with my current iPhone 12 Pro max. Very good watch & easy to use. This Apple Watch replaced my Garmin Fenix 6x pro. 6 months later I have now sold my Apple Watch 6 to purchase a new Garmin Fenix 6x pro again.. I missed it that much. The only setback is that if I’m correct, here in the UK the 6x pro does not notify me of txt messages on my iPhone, only incoming calls. Plus does not support Apple Pay either. All in all, I still prefer the Fenix 6x pro, much more rugged.
I have both a Fenix 6 & an Apple Watch. I use the Apple Watch as a daily driver and only use the Fenix on runs. I don't like sleeping with the Fenix 6 bc it feels so big whereas you hardly notice the Apple watch. I also like the Apple watch's haptic alarm better than the Fenix's. Both have their uses and I'm fine with having two watches.
Good addition about the haptic feedback on the Apple Watch - it's very pleasant with all the different patterns that it can provide and are very natural feeling. Sounds like a bigger crowd than I thought rocking both watches! 👍
I bought a Forerunner 645 Music over an Apple Watch a few years ago because I really wanted music while I run. However, Spotify on Garmin is just laughably bad. It constantly crashed, took forever to load albums, and was nearly impossible to find albums/podcasts to download. A couple years later I swapped to an Apple Watch. It definitely is far from perfect for running, but I love how great it is the 23 hours per day that I’m not running (and it’s totally workable during a run, just not as good as a Garmin). I feel like it boils down to how much you interact with your watch during your activity. If you just click start and go, an Apple Watch is probably great for 90% of those people. But if you are constantly doing laps, checking vert, etc, then you’re more of a Garmin person.
Might have been an older Garmin you had. I have Spotify on my phone and I can easily sync the albums to my Garmin watch. Apple watch certainly has greater capability even being able to live stream but as far as playing saved albums the Garmin watch does a decent job.
I prefer real buttons of the Fenix. Touch screens I believe do not belong on a fitness watch. The screen of the Garmin is much easier to read in direct sunlight and it doesn't timeout either. Custom workouts have really improved in the last few years and they are integrated with audio voice prompts, if you're using Bluetooth headphones. Also, I can load a prior track and navigate or race against that same course. The screens are very customizable to each activity as well. Each screen can have one to 8 readings. Last, I do like the suggested workouts that are based on your workout load, sleep and your stress.
I thought long and hard about the fenix 6, but did not buy as just not compatible enough with iPhone, so I bought Apple watch 6. Agree with Des the garmin has so much more data, that’s why I have a garmin edge 1030 for cycling, that pairs with my cadence heart monitor and varia radar for my bike, this is the best of both worlds. I can collate all the data I need , while reply to messages while cycling.
Great review. Agree they are not the same, so hard to make a comparison. Both do some things better than the other so it comes down to what is more important to you. Someday there will be a watch that is both an amazing sports watch and smartwatch combined. For me, being a good sports watch is more important. I do a ton of activities, and train people in fitness. The added smartwatch features the newer Garmins have give me just enough of what I need. When I get a txt while I'm riding my bike or kayaking, running, hiking, etc. I don't have to take my phone out of my pocket to read it quickly. All the extra smart watch stuff is very cool, kinda a toy to play with I certainly wouldn't mind having it but it's not needed for me. Others will be the opposite, heavily using the features and getting by with the fitness stuff the apple watch does.
I have both and I prefer the apple watch for day to day use but the garmin for workouts (mainly cycling). The Apple watch is much lighter and slimmer and more comfortable to wear especially with a solo band. The data from the Fenix is more complete and I agree the sleep tracking is better. I like using the garmin watch concurrently with zwift to track vo2max and ftp. - the apple watch has been a little bit buggy surprisingly. The media controls when spotify or pocketcasts are playing randomly go away esp after a phone call. The screen blur feature for privacy kicks it at inconvenient times and I haven't been able to disable that. - the Fenix is a tank and is rock solid but it has a higher profile on your wrist - kudos on that VO2 max and FTP!
I love my Marq Athlete. It has the traditional look while offering everything I want out of a smart watch. It's definitely a pricey option, but one I would absolutely recommend!
Prior to getting an Apple Watch in 2018 I wore a Garmin Forerunner for about 3 years. I really missed the metrics especially for sprint work on the Garmin as well as battery life (the only two real short falls of the Apple Watch) I bought the Garmin Fenix 6 a few months ago. After about 2 weeks of giving the Garmin an honest shot I just could not give up all of the smart watch features on the Apple Watch. The features I use the most are Apple Pay, Apple Music, and scrolling through the screens to see different faces. The Apple Watch is also more comfortable to wear, Lastly not having the cellular function on the Garmin watch was the ultimate downfall. If I'm going on a long run I want the safety of being able to call someone if I twist my ankle or any other emergency situation.
Awesome video! Garmin Felix 6 here. I prefer the buttons and always on screen over the touch screen that times out. I found the soft buttons very clumsy and the false presses are way too frequent. I like being able to customize my data screens. I also like creating and being able to execute customized workouts. Don’t forget maps including trails and roads with heat maps of frequent traveled roads highlighted. I found the AW needed a lot more helper apps for the features I like, but no app did it all. Just my two cents.
I have an Apple Watch series 5, a forerunner 945 and a Fenix 6. My forerunner is my workhorse on days I run and race weeks (I race MTB, cyclocross and do some trail running races). I use my Apple Watch for everyday wear and days on the road bike when I don’t want to take my phone with me. I use my Fenix on big days in the mountains.
Hey Des I’m currently doing a bunch of research for my next smartwatch / fitness trackers and you’re videos are by far the best! Thanks so much from Canada!
Since I don't own any Apple products, the choice to go to Garmin was relatively simple. I migrated from a TomTom to a FENIX 5X a few years ago and then to a FENIX 6X last year. I have friends who own Apple watches and they love the cellular service aspect and not needing their phones, but they have IPhones and MacBooks and it makes sense for them. Yes, my battery life is incredible compared to an Apple watch. And my music capacity on the the FENIX 6X is far beyond reasonable. My music from a collection of CD's converted to mp3 files gives me hours of music on my watch without needing to connect to a music service.
got my fenix6s and preparing for my first half marathon. Very happy with it. What I'm always using during the run is metronome to help with cadence. And one hour of it drains the battery by 10%. Usual work of the watch - 9 days(about 11-12% of a battery), so that If I use the same feature on apple,it would die after one workout...if I run for 2 hours - in the middle of the workout. I think Apple doesn't work for the sport if you want to challenge yourself and grow as a runner...
I love my Apple Watch , because I don’t do marathons or workouts longer than 1,5 hours . My husband like Garmin better because of the battery and the more intense workouts he does ,so it’s got a longer battery. I can’t mis the smart functions on the Apple ,and all is so convenient and easy to read and use .
i am currently using a apple watch series 5 but lately the battery life has been becoming worse so i’m thinking about upgrading to a garmin fenix 6x pro
Yup! You can see the running dynamics that the HRM Pro can collect at around 11:36 in the video. This is done over ANT+ and since the Series 6 only connects over Bluetooth it won’t be able to collect this data.
My life insurance company basically forced my hand in buying an Apple Watch, but I’m happy to know it’s at least comparable for sports and health features. Thanks for such a detailed review!
I have the Vivoactive 3 and the Samsung Galaxy 3 LTE simultaneously myself. Garmin is definitely better for fitness,. Samsung is okay, but the software is lacking quite a bit.
Nice review as always although (as a Fenix user) I missed some pretty important points like Garmin’s adaptive virtual trainers or the daily training recommendation based on the current train load and rest stage. Or even just the opportunity to create a training plan in advance and load that when you are out on the track: the watch will “dictate” you what to do and you’ll see screens automatically that is the best to see the actually important data fields while you are doing that session. I’d really miss these functions after I tried them out, they works really great together.
Thanks for the effort on the video. Apple recently frustrated me so i went in search of apple product replacements. I ended up with a fr 945. I cant express enough how much i love how info heavy it is. I do and try so many activities and IMO the Apple Watch doesn’t come close to recording it. But on the flip im torn because the aw (i have the 4) looks so much nicer on my arm on date night and it has so many features that you didn’t even know you wanted. It’s definitely got novelty on lock! So now i have both 😩 but I’ve had my Garmin for 2 weeks and i havent taken it off my arm yet but i cant get rid of my aw just yet. It really is apples and oranges!!
great video! Apple watch is great but you need to be next to a power source otherwise it will simply let you down- i find that stressful - having to check how much battery you have left and whether you need to quickly charge it. I am lucky to have both the Apple Watch 5 and Fenix 6 Pro and I find going back to garmin again and again. It is the battery life. But the apple watch is absolutely a fantastic smartwatch.
I just got a Fenix 6. Came from Apple Series 6. The Apple is a great smart watch, but I much prefer the Garmin because of all the data I get from it. Can't see myself going back to the Apple.
@@aparagarwal1234 i use a chest strap with my fenix 6 pro.if you are a serious athlete , there is no way you are switching to apple( i had the series 5).suunto is a really good option on the other hans
@@CrixMadine garmin gives you way more data with the app , way easier to custom . battery life is a no brainer , the aw is a smartwatch with nice sports watch capabilities. the fenix is focused for sports only. there is no comparison . i have had both and garmin is better by miles if you only want to use it for sports.
Great video, here’s my take. Been a Fenix owner since the series 2 (which still works! Sold it to a friend), and now on a F6, but also a big Apple fan, so recently got an Apple Watch SE. Both do different things, so I’ve started to wear them both! Fenix is my main watch, but great to have Apple Watch for smart features which are way better and very useful for messaging when out on the bike / run. Also very useful for music controls.
Had an Apple Watch then my bike computer broke. Bought the Fenix 6 pro and never looked back. Best bit of kit I have had of all Bike GPS/HRM/Activity trackers I’ve owned. Run, Cycle, broadcast HR, it’s all there. Bought the mount adaptor for the bike too when I want to see the data or navigating.
Ive got a Fenix 5x Sapphire and will never leave the Fenix range. I hike on the Moors in the UK and you can not fault it when the fog rolls in and visibility is 10m.
Keep in mind that the Fenix 6 also has almost 80% of the high-end Garmin Golf watch features included (I can play four rounds without charging). And I would never want to take the Apple watch on a long trail walk/ride and worry about running out of battery and get lost in the woods!
The Fenix watches pretty much cover all the other lower-end Garmin watches in one. The only thing more expensive than the Fenix is the Tactix and Marq watches.
One is a fitness outdoor watch and one is an everyday smart watch. I’ve both of them and the apple blows the Garmin out of the water for smart features during normal daytime. The Garmin blows the apple out of the water for outdoor pursuits, hiking, swimming and running etc. There’s a place for both
Lots of you asked about the watch band that I have on the fenix 6 Sapphire in the video - this is it! geni.us/fenix6watchband (Amazon affiliate link) Thanks!
Running Stats: Forerunner 945 or Fenix 6X, Sir?
They’ll be the same 👍
@@DesFit Thank You Sir. Bought Fenix 6X Sapphire.
- Your Indian Fan. 🙏
You’ll be getting it all 👍 Thanks!
Literally came down into the comments to ask this exact question, haha. Thanks so much!
I was a loyal apple watch user for many years, and then this last December made the jump to a Fenix. I am SO HAPPY that I changed things up. The fitness tracking is truly amazing. And I have smart notifications disabled and am really enjoying not being so "connected" all the time. :)
Glad the Fenix is working out for you 👍
When I switched from a Galaxy Watch to the Fenix 6 I was worried I would miss the touch screen. Boy was I wrong. Garmin nails the UI. You don't have to press many buttons because they offer you what you need by default. 6 Month on I'm still surprised and impressed by the ease of use.
Nice! Glad to hear! And thanks for sharing your experiences.
I have a samsung galaxy watch 3 and the Strava app keeps glitching when doing weight workouts indoors. It just shuts down and you lose your data. I am considering the Garmin Fenix 6 since i am an avid bike rider and workout often. Can you take calls on the fenix 6?
@@jamaani No. You can press a button to accept a call but you can't talk and listen to your watch like with the Galaxy or Apple Watch.
@@Mindolluin thank you for your response🙏🏾. Much appreciated. That is still okay with me...honestly for the functionality and options of the fenix i am going to get it. I just need to decide which version will serve me best long term.
is a difference level, garmin fenix is for serious sports. apple watch for city guy
Maybe it’s a bit much, but I’m using both. Wearing the Apple Watch during the workday, using Apple Pay and taking calls, etc. The smart watch features and integration with the Apple ecosystem are great. Then when I’m working out, hiking, golfing, going off the grid for camping, it’s definitely the tougher fenix 6 sapphire with its maps, better battery life, fitness data, and tougher build. I know I’m fortunate to be able to have both, but they definitely serve different purposes. Love your videos!
Thanks so much! You sound like me in how you use them! 😁
@@DesFit You use them both in same manner? I did that to but how you read your data through day then? I mean how you combine your data to get full spectrum of day/week/month. And thanks for video, keep up the good work really helpful videos... 😀
I use the Apple Watch pretty much as an extension of my phone, or sometimes the replacement if I don’t have my phone on me, and then a more capable fitness device for all the sports. Since I use so many different watches I like to use other platforms like TrainingPeaks for a catch-all for all my data, although I do use Garmin devices the most so most of my data is in Garmin Connect.
@@DesFit thx for replay... jep same here just that Im not satisfied that some times I don’t have date not connected to training all in one place like steps, hydration, sleep, ...etc but Apple health connect most of them so 😁. Thought that you maybe have some solutions 😁
I've got the apple watch for not having to carry my phone with me while running but for ultra-marathon training the battery life is not acceptable so I also have the fenix6 just now...I'll see how it goes but I'm so glad to hear other people have gone this same route...
I went from galaxy watch to fenix 5x plus and I m not going back to smart watches! I don’t need to write text or have a phone call on my watch, I prefer the looks, the battery and the training info I get from the fenix + hrm run!
Yup, plenty of data and info with the Garmin!
Those Fenix watches are expensive
@@andyv6299 Yeah they sure are, but they worth the extra money if you can afford it. If not, you can find better value for money in instinct or forerunner series.
Nick mankey watch strap takes the fenix 6 to another level of comfort, I love my 6 pro solar
"VO2 max - superior"
Alright man, you don't need to attack me like that. ;)
😂😂
Even though it says superior, it's not. It's only extreme compared to the average population. In the fitness world 58is just average. 64 is pretty good. My biking vo2max is 71 on a 8-10hour running biking, hiking crosstraining. Anything over 60is respectable though. Keep it up
@@stalinjoszef958 I thought my 51 was good lol. The watch tells me 51 is excellent and my fitness age is 20. It was feeling pretty good for the 40 years old me!
@@Astro-ck6mh i have a big background, started doing mtb marathons when I was 8, at 13y i quit for 2years than started again. At that time I was barely fitter than a bodybuilder. I started working on it. It took me 3years consistent hard work, 24/7 dieting to get here where I am now. I actually wanted to become a pro.
But I realised it's not worth it. working out 30hours a week just kills everyone mentally and physically and fame is no guarantee in cycling
@@stalinjoszef958 remember that this is estimate. Likely when you do actual VO2 max it would be higher. Also, running or varied VO2 max is different to pure cycling VO2 max...
After watching all your videos which made me decided to get my first Garmin watch a few months ago. Still now, I still love my Garmin watches. 😁👍🏼
Glad the videos helped!! 👍
Is Garmin overkill for those who do 20-30 minutes light exercise everyday?Apple watch is kinda letdown in term of battery
@@tmjohari No such thing as overkill. I love having all of my data from my activity. The data collected helps with improving your fitness level if you understand what you're looking at. I would get a Garmin for the durability alone versus the apple watch.
Went from Apple Watch to Garmin 2 years ago and never looked back! Love my Garmin!
👍
Is Apple Watch the worst Watch you could buy?
@@simply6162 absolutely not! Apple Watch is a great smart watch, but not a great fitness tracker.
@@MrsUSified I heard Apple Watch are specifically for fitness
For me Garmin is 'the watch' that keeping me motivated to train)
You need a watch to keep you motivated 😂
@@vikingh3008 yup)
@@dimosha8919 😂 I bet you also like CrossFit and eat vegan food,
@@vikingh3008 nope)
@@vikingh3008 corny lol
I just invested in a Fenix 6 Sapphire. Haven't been active in the smart watch industry for years and have only used Apple Watch Series 1 when it came out (which was very nice). Watched tons of videos on your channel and decided to go on with the Fenix + a Garmin Smart Scale S2 as well. It is just something with the 'Garmin lifestyle' that makes it a lot more valuable. Keep up the good work!
Nice! Sounds like a great combo. Thanks!!
I just owned this watch for last 4 weeks its great gps on activities is all over the place like you have run through somones garden 😜😜but great watch garmin need to fix gps problems
And i have finally got a garmin fenix 6 pro sapphire without blue screen problem 👍🏻
And i wish my wrist was thin i struggle with my thick wrists sorry for my bad language but fuck apple day light robbery
Thanks for your comparison review. I have bought Apple Watch 6 to replace my Venu. So far I pleased with the Heart Rate sensor accuracy of Apple Watch 6 during weight training.
Nice! Glad it’s working out for you. Thanks!
I've been using an Apple Watch 6 for a little over a year and it's annoying needing to charge it every night and constantly having push notifications dinging on my wrist. Just made the switch to the Fenix 6 and while there is a learning curve I'm already liking the additional customization and the 2-week long battery life is mindblowing!
I gave my Apple away after buying it as an upgrade from Fenix 5. Now have Fenix 6 and can’t fault it.
Battery life and the ability to drill into data from sleep, riding, running, aerobic and golf make it a clear winner for me.
I must admit the screen on the Apple is what made me buy it but it really is a toy on your wrist...and I am not charging a watch every night particular when I am sometimes out in the bush.
our "unbox therapy" for all fitness devices. Excellent comparison!
Thanks so much!
Love my Garmin Watch, blows my Apple Watch away, especially when it come to a fitness watch. Plus Garmin has a 14 day battery
The ruggedness and battery life makes Garmin an absolute win.
Even price also won by garmin 💸
different ppl might not care these attributes
Love my F6 pro, very sports and health oriented and has a rugged look, battery life is just under a week with a few activities
I got a garmin Fenix 6 pro too, excellent watch. Also bought the chestnut leather strap which just sets it off nicely, but I would recommend the garmin one - it is a little expensive but has quick release and is absolute quality.
Well I bought the fenix 6 last November and me being a seafarer I am wearing it every single day. So far now the fenix 6 solid construction and no scratches at all. Hands got banged against metal yet no bruise to the watch. I am happy it's worth spending money on fenix 6
Glad it's working well for you!
interesting video. they've always been very different to me. Last year I bought myself the Fenix 6s and got my mom the Apple Watch. Each watch works for her owner as we each had very different needs fitness/health/wellness/smart watch-wise (me a bit of a sport/fitness fanatic and her a workout newbie).
Exactly! Very well put!
I purchased the Fenix 6 Sapphire 3 months ago because keeping fit and healthy, was more important than keeping connected. Just recently I have begun to realize just how much we are bombarded with messages and notifications. Buying the Fenix 6 avoided the temptation to obsessively trying to keep connected to everything
Good point! 👍
I have the 6x pro. I regularly go 3 weeks between charges. Running every day.
Nice!
i think that you helped me a lot with my decision, i didn't know which one to buy , but now, i very pleasure to don't fall in the deep consumerism from Apple.
For every Apple devices they put on the market.
i can't wait to start my sports days with my new FENIX!
Nice! Glad the video helped. Enjoy!
I just bought my fenix and i'ts amazing!
You are very objective in your review. Great job ! That's pretty rare nowadays on TH-cam. Hello from France
Thanks so much! Hello back from Colorado!
As you and others noted, two very different watches at their cores. I got a Fenix 6 Solar Pro a week ago, in part due to your review linked in your notes above. For me it’s about outdoor activities and being away from power on the trail for days at a time. I noted that there are a lot of apps available for the Fenix, but as I will likely have my phone along hiking or biking, I do not see the usefulness of duplicating something already covered on my iPhone. The music function is one of those to me as well, but I expect there are people that don’t want to have to bring a phone along, so it gets back to what best meets your needs. I’ve used it for about 45 minutes of activity daily and sleep tracking for a week and still have 30% on the battery. The solar function may add up to two days, depending on sun conditions.
Thanks for your feedback, Mike! 👍
you don't want to run with your phone. music streaming is a must for a sport watch.
I absolutely love the Garmin and wouldnt trade it for the Apple ever (dont like the latter's design or small size) but DAMN that display!!!
The quality of these videos are so good.. By far the best Sport tech channel on TH-cam!
Thanks so much!
Great analysis of both watches. I use the series 5 and what it basically comes down to is Apple watches are more for the everyday athletes and Garmin Fenix’s are more for the professional athletes - in my humble opinion.
Great summary! Thanks Winnie!
love the way you present and give the comment, very professional way.
Thanks!
Great video! Didn’t sense any bias that you pick up in some other reviews. Still torn on making the switch to Garmin...
It’s a tough choice!
I did a deep analysis ca ,51 year ago when I needed a new sports-watch. Chose Garmin Fenix 5, this was before the 6 came to market. I need a battery that needs charging very seldomly. A watch to mount on my race bike handlebar instead of bike computer. A watch for jogging. And a great app to study data. Garmin Fenix 5 does all that and tons more. And it looks masculine. So, there was no real choice for me in the end. Have used the watch every day since then and remain happy :-) Agree with the comment Garmin 80% sport 20% smart and Apple 20% sport and 80% smart. But, Garmin also makes beautiful smart watches and the run with both IOS and Android phones.
Sir I'm from Kuwait 🇰🇼 and to be honest with you I like your vedio so much and because of your description for both watches I have decided to go with with Garmin watch it's more than enough for me.... Excellent watch ⌚ the garmin instinct it's now my best instrument
Very cool! Thanks!!
This is a great review. To me the biggest advantage to the Garmin is the battery life. I just got the Fenix 6s Pro Solar, and love it. (I had the mid-size Fenix 6 before, but just found it too big for my taste) But my Series 4 Apple Watch lasts a day maximum. The Fenix 6 would easily last 12 days, and the new 6s solar will probably get me a week or so due to the smaller battery. (I just got it, so I haven't optimized the battery usage yet) Yes, there's certain things the AW does WAY better, but overall, the Garmin is a better device IMO.
Fenix 6 pro all day long. 👍🏼
First time viewer. Really like your content and your flow!
Thanks!
Love the fenix watches
👍
very detailed analysis.. thanks for the video...
Sure thing. Thanks!
Hey Des. That was an awesome comparison. Each of the sections segued well and you brought out all the nuances of each watch, user profile and ecosystem. Great video!
Glad the information was useful! Thanks!
I have had both of these watches, the stainless steel / ceramic Apple Watch 6 gps/cellular working along with my current iPhone 12 Pro max. Very good watch & easy to use. This Apple Watch replaced my Garmin Fenix 6x pro. 6 months later I have now sold my Apple Watch 6 to purchase a new Garmin Fenix 6x pro again.. I missed it that much. The only setback is that if I’m correct, here in the UK the 6x pro does not notify me of txt messages on my iPhone, only incoming calls. Plus does not support Apple Pay either.
All in all, I still prefer the Fenix 6x pro, much more rugged.
I wanna ditch my apple watch series 3 lte for a garmin fenix 6 pro
THAT INTRO: I was skeptical. Then; AWEFAWQ that was gud.
Ha! Thanks so much 👍
I have both a Fenix 6 & an Apple Watch. I use the Apple Watch as a daily driver and only use the Fenix on runs. I don't like sleeping with the Fenix 6 bc it feels so big whereas you hardly notice the Apple watch. I also like the Apple watch's haptic alarm better than the Fenix's. Both have their uses and I'm fine with having two watches.
Good addition about the haptic feedback on the Apple Watch - it's very pleasant with all the different patterns that it can provide and are very natural feeling. Sounds like a bigger crowd than I thought rocking both watches! 👍
I bought a Forerunner 645 Music over an Apple Watch a few years ago because I really wanted music while I run. However, Spotify on Garmin is just laughably bad. It constantly crashed, took forever to load albums, and was nearly impossible to find albums/podcasts to download. A couple years later I swapped to an Apple Watch. It definitely is far from perfect for running, but I love how great it is the 23 hours per day that I’m not running (and it’s totally workable during a run, just not as good as a Garmin).
I feel like it boils down to how much you interact with your watch during your activity. If you just click start and go, an Apple Watch is probably great for 90% of those people. But if you are constantly doing laps, checking vert, etc, then you’re more of a Garmin person.
Might have been an older Garmin you had. I have Spotify on my phone and I can easily sync the albums to my Garmin watch. Apple watch certainly has greater capability even being able to live stream but as far as playing saved albums the Garmin watch does a decent job.
I prefer real buttons of the Fenix. Touch screens I believe do not belong on a fitness watch. The screen of the Garmin is much easier to read in direct sunlight and it doesn't timeout either. Custom workouts have really improved in the last few years and they are integrated with audio voice prompts, if you're using Bluetooth headphones. Also, I can load a prior track and navigate or race against that same course. The screens are very customizable to each activity as well. Each screen can have one to 8 readings. Last, I do like the suggested workouts that are based on your workout load, sleep and your stress.
Very helpful, exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.
Glad it helped! Thanks!
I thought long and hard about the fenix 6, but did not buy as just not compatible enough with iPhone, so I bought Apple watch 6. Agree with Des the garmin has so much more data, that’s why I have a garmin edge 1030 for cycling, that pairs with my cadence heart monitor and varia radar for my bike, this is the best of both worlds. I can collate all the data I need , while reply to messages while cycling.
Good choices!!
Hello Des. I am from Brazil. Always watching your videos. I think they are really great. 👍
Thanks so much!!
I would like know if Garmin fenix 6 it's possible listening information about training during running with bluetooth. Thanks
Great review. Agree they are not the same, so hard to make a comparison. Both do some things better than the other so it comes down to what is more important to you. Someday there will be a watch that is both an amazing sports watch and smartwatch combined.
For me, being a good sports watch is more important. I do a ton of activities, and train people in fitness. The added smartwatch features the newer Garmins have give me just enough of what I need. When I get a txt while I'm riding my bike or kayaking, running, hiking, etc. I don't have to take my phone out of my pocket to read it quickly. All the extra smart watch stuff is very cool, kinda a toy to play with I certainly wouldn't mind having it but it's not needed for me. Others will be the opposite, heavily using the features and getting by with the fitness stuff the apple watch does.
I've been wanting an apple watch for 2 years I'm gonna finally getting one
Great video, very honest.
Garmin for me, love my fenix 6.
Thanks so much! Glad you’re enjoying your watch 👍
I have both and I prefer the apple watch for day to day use but the garmin for workouts (mainly cycling). The Apple watch is much lighter and slimmer and more comfortable to wear especially with a solo band. The data from the Fenix is more complete and I agree the sleep tracking is better. I like using the garmin watch concurrently with zwift to track vo2max and ftp.
- the apple watch has been a little bit buggy surprisingly. The media controls when spotify or pocketcasts are playing randomly go away esp after a phone call. The screen blur feature for privacy kicks it at inconvenient times and I haven't been able to disable that.
- the Fenix is a tank and is rock solid but it has a higher profile on your wrist
- kudos on that VO2 max and FTP!
I’ve noticed some intermittent (and surprising) bugs lately with the Apple Watches as well. And thanks!!
I love my Marq Athlete.
It has the traditional look while offering everything I want out of a smart watch.
It's definitely a pricey option, but one I would absolutely recommend!
it's the same like fenix 6x pro
Prior to getting an Apple Watch in 2018 I wore a Garmin Forerunner for about 3 years. I really missed the metrics especially for sprint work on the Garmin as well as battery life (the only two real short falls of the Apple Watch) I bought the Garmin Fenix 6 a few months ago. After about 2 weeks of giving the Garmin an honest shot I just could not give up all of the smart watch features on the Apple Watch. The features I use the most are Apple Pay, Apple Music, and scrolling through the screens to see different faces. The Apple Watch is also more comfortable to wear, Lastly not having the cellular function on the Garmin watch was the ultimate downfall. If I'm going on a long run I want the safety of being able to call someone if I twist my ankle or any other emergency situation.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Awesome video! Garmin Felix 6 here. I prefer the buttons and always on screen over the touch screen that times out. I found the soft buttons very clumsy and the false presses are way too frequent. I like being able to customize my data screens. I also like creating and being able to execute customized workouts. Don’t forget maps including trails and roads with heat maps of frequent traveled roads highlighted. I found the AW needed a lot more helper apps for the features I like, but no app did it all. Just my two cents.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Shaun! And thanks!!
I have an Apple Watch series 5, a forerunner 945 and a Fenix 6. My forerunner is my workhorse on days I run and race weeks (I race MTB, cyclocross and do some trail running races). I use my Apple Watch for everyday wear and days on the road bike when I don’t want to take my phone with me. I use my Fenix on big days in the mountains.
Nice setup you have! And great use cases for all of them. 👍
Hey Des I’m currently doing a bunch of research for my next smartwatch / fitness trackers and you’re videos are by far the best! Thanks so much from Canada!
Glad the information is helping! Thanks!
Since I don't own any Apple products, the choice to go to Garmin was relatively simple. I migrated from a TomTom to a FENIX 5X a few years ago and then to a FENIX 6X last year. I have friends who own Apple watches and they love the cellular service aspect and not needing their phones, but they have IPhones and MacBooks and it makes sense for them. Yes, my battery life is incredible compared to an Apple watch.
And my music capacity on the the FENIX 6X is far beyond reasonable. My music from a collection of CD's converted to mp3 files gives me hours of music on my watch without needing to connect to a music service.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
fare and balanced, thank you for that, it's very rare to see that.
Glad it helped. Thanks!
got my fenix6s and preparing for my first half marathon. Very happy with it. What I'm always using during the run is metronome to help with cadence. And one hour of it drains the battery by 10%. Usual work of the watch - 9 days(about 11-12% of a battery), so that If I use the same feature on apple,it would die after one workout...if I run for 2 hours - in the middle of the workout. I think Apple doesn't work for the sport if you want to challenge yourself and grow as a runner...
I love my Apple Watch , because I don’t do marathons or workouts longer than 1,5 hours . My husband like Garmin better because of the battery and the more intense workouts he does ,so it’s got a longer battery. I can’t mis the smart functions on the Apple ,and all is so convenient and easy to read and use .
Flexing with those VO2-max numbers!😵Jealous!
So help your video, i still love my fenix 6
Nice!!
I have both and use my AW6 daily because of the health features (blood pressure, thermometer, lumen), and the F6 for intervals.
Good combo! 👍
Just what I was looking for ! Thanks !
Glad it helped!
I can't wait to see the next review on the Apple Watch Ultra compared to Garmin Fenix 6...:- Thanks
And Fenix 7, Epix, and more!
SpO2 of 100 and VO2Max of 58... 😯👌
🙂 thanks!
@@DesFit How is Apple`s calculated VO2max compared to Garmin? Is it a similar value? Thanks)
i am currently using a apple watch series 5 but lately the battery life has been becoming worse so i’m thinking about upgrading to a garmin fenix 6x pro
Is there a difference between what data you can read out of the Garmin HRM if you are using the Fenix vs the Apple Watch?
Yup! You can see the running dynamics that the HRM Pro can collect at around 11:36 in the video. This is done over ANT+ and since the Series 6 only connects over Bluetooth it won’t be able to collect this data.
My life insurance company basically forced my hand in buying an Apple Watch, but I’m happy to know it’s at least comparable for sports and health features. Thanks for such a detailed review!
I owned both. the iWatch is a fashion item, Garmin Fenix is a rugged sports watch for athletes. I use the saphire glass version, it's so good.
That's a good point. I've never cared about fashion, so there was only one choice for me.
I would choose Apple Watch Series 6 with Firstbeat Analytics, that would be the dream!
🙌
Thanks a lot for your detailed analysis ! 🙌🏼🔥
Sure thing!
I second that: informative and nicely produced too. Thank you! 👍👍👍👍👍
I have both and I agree.
👍
always love your "how's it going folks this is Desmond desfit" Ahaa !
👍
'..I'm Des with Desfit.'
I have an question. How accurate is that barometer? Can i record 12hrs atm pressure?
Great review, thanks a lot! Even tho I chose already apple watch, i really enjoyed watching this!
Appreciate that! Thanks!
I just got the fenix 6s mainly for its 10atm waterproofness. Its a very well built watch that feels very durable and perfect for outdoors!
👍
For the reasons given in this video, I’m using both watches at the same time 😆
As do a lot of folks, as I've seen in the comments!
I have the Vivoactive 3 and the Samsung Galaxy 3 LTE simultaneously myself. Garmin is definitely better for fitness,. Samsung is okay, but the software is lacking quite a bit.
You're joking right?
Still have the Fenix 3HR for more than 4 yrs these watches last
Nice!
Thanks for the review Des, always high quality. What are your thoughts on fenix 6s vs. coros apex 42mm?
Get both, apple for work/causal, Garmin for workout
Nice review as always although (as a Fenix user) I missed some pretty important points like Garmin’s adaptive virtual trainers or the daily training recommendation based on the current train load and rest stage. Or even just the opportunity to create a training plan in advance and load that when you are out on the track: the watch will “dictate” you what to do and you’ll see screens automatically that is the best to see the actually important data fields while you are doing that session. I’d really miss these functions after I tried them out, they works really great together.
Yup, more good points for what data, feedback, and guidance Garmin can provide. Thanks!
This was eerily cathartic.
Thanks for the effort on the video. Apple recently frustrated me so i went in search of apple product replacements. I ended up with a fr 945. I cant express enough how much i love how info heavy it is. I do and try so many activities and IMO the Apple Watch doesn’t come close to recording it. But on the flip im torn because the aw (i have the 4) looks so much nicer on my arm on date night and it has so many features that you didn’t even know you wanted. It’s definitely got novelty on lock! So now i have both 😩 but I’ve had my Garmin for 2 weeks and i havent taken it off my arm yet but i cant get rid of my aw just yet. It really is apples and oranges!!
It’s such a toss up! Thanks!
great video! Apple watch is great but you need to be next to a power source otherwise it will simply let you down- i find that stressful - having to check how much battery you have left and whether you need to quickly charge it. I am lucky to have both the Apple Watch 5 and Fenix 6 Pro and I find going back to garmin again and again. It is the battery life. But the apple watch is absolutely a fantastic smartwatch.
Seems like lots of folks go with this combo! Thanks for sharing your experience.
I just got a Fenix 6. Came from Apple Series 6. The Apple is a great smart watch, but I much prefer the Garmin because of all the data I get from it. Can't see myself going back to the Apple.
If only we could have the best of both worlds!
I switched from Fenix 6 to Series 6 and it was because of HR accuracy and superior display.
@@aparagarwal1234 i use a chest strap with my fenix 6 pro.if you are a serious athlete , there is no way you are switching to apple( i had the series 5).suunto is a really good option on the other hans
@@pierremaldonado7447 What does fenix give to „serious athlete” that AW doesn’t?
@@CrixMadine garmin gives you way more data with the app , way easier to custom . battery life is a no brainer , the aw is a smartwatch with nice sports watch capabilities. the fenix is focused for sports only. there is no comparison . i have had both and garmin is better by miles if you only want to use it for sports.
I need a device for swimming in a pool only. Which one would you take?
Great video, here’s my take. Been a Fenix owner since the series 2 (which still works! Sold it to a friend), and now on a F6, but also a big Apple fan, so recently got an Apple Watch SE. Both do different things, so I’ve started to wear them both! Fenix is my main watch, but great to have Apple Watch for smart features which are way better and very useful for messaging when out on the bike / run. Also very useful for music controls.
You’re not the only one who wears them both! Thanks for sharing your experience 👍
Had an Apple Watch then my bike computer broke. Bought the Fenix 6 pro and never looked back. Best bit of kit I have had of all Bike GPS/HRM/Activity trackers I’ve owned.
Run, Cycle, broadcast HR, it’s all there.
Bought the mount adaptor for the bike too when I want to see the data or navigating.
My weekend is complete. Another DesFit video drop.
Yes!! 🙌
Great comparison. Thanks ! I bought the GARMIN FENIX 6X PRO SOLAR TITANIUM 51MM.
Nice! Enjoy your watch.
Its like comparing a tank and a mercedes or the rock and balet dancer
Love the fenix
Great review
Thanks so much!
I'm charging my fenix 6 every 2 weeks. It is literally the best smart watch I have ever used for value. I feel like it will last for ever
Thank you for the excellent presentation of strengths of each smartwatch! Very clear and effectively explained.
Glad the information helped. Thanks!
Ive got a Fenix 5x Sapphire and will never leave the Fenix range. I hike on the Moors in the UK and you can not fault it when the fog rolls in and visibility is 10m.
Yup, for your types of activities the fenix is definitely the way to go 👍
Keep in mind that the Fenix 6 also has almost 80% of the high-end Garmin Golf watch features included (I can play four rounds without charging). And I would never want to take the Apple watch on a long trail walk/ride and worry about running out of battery and get lost in the woods!
The Fenix watches pretty much cover all the other lower-end Garmin watches in one. The only thing more expensive than the Fenix is the Tactix and Marq watches.
Just subbed i also just ordered a fenix6x pro solar. Im reading up all the links. Yours was good and concise. Thanks
Enjoy your watch! Thanks!
Great video. These are the ones I am considering. Except I am looking at the Delta Tactix with solar. Fenix 7 is probably out soon as well.
Nice! Good timing then! 😁
Thanks. This was exactly what I was looking for. Great!
Glad it helped! Thanks!
One is a fitness outdoor watch and one is an everyday smart watch. I’ve both of them and the apple blows the Garmin out of the water for smart features during normal daytime. The Garmin blows the apple out of the water for outdoor pursuits, hiking, swimming and running etc. There’s a place for both
Definitely!