Garmin releases new Fenix 6 smartwatches, featuring solar-charging

Garmin has just announced the latest iteration of their GPS sport smartwatch series, the Fenix 6 in Malaysia. Amongst other new features, perhaps the most interesting update is the inclusion of a solar charging lens on one of the smartwatches in the series—a first for a Garmin smartwatch. Display sizes have also been significantly increased, while smartwatches across the range will feature V02 estimates, as well as adjustments for heat and altitude training.

Garmin has also introduced “Power Manager”, which will function as a hub to show users the various settings and sensor, along with how they affect battery life. These will help for power-users that intend to use the Fenix watches on long “adventures”, with the ability to estimate battery life and to tweak settings on-the-go.

4 new models have been announced in the series: the Fenix 6, Fenix 6S, Fenix 6X, and the Fenix 6X Pro Solar. Of the 3, the flagship model is the Fenix 6X Pro Solar—its 21-day battery life, according to Garmin, can be extended by up to 3 days using solar power to charge the device. That said, battery-life will drop to around 60 hours if GPS is kept on, which is expected.

Its 1.4-inch display is also 36% larger than its predecessor in the Fenix 5X series, while the Fenix 6X Pro Solar—like other smartwatches in the series—will have topographic maps in the watch, and will store up to 2,000 songs (32GB) for on-the-go listening. There is also the option for Wi-Fi, which will allow for streaming services such as Spotify.

Besides that, there is also the Fenix 6X, which also feature a large 1.4-inch screen. Along with the Fenix 6—using a 1.3-inch screen—they’re supposed to have a trimmer, more comfortable fit for users as compared to Fenix 5 series smartwatches. Garmin has also introduced QuickFit nylon bands, which will allow users to mix and match bands to their liking.

The most affordable option in the series is the Fenix 6S, which retains much of the same features as the 6, although it is available in 42mm—a pretty nice size for those who prefer to have a smaller watch during their adventures. The Fenix 6 and 6S will also have 32GB of storage for songs, although this only applies to sapphire models. Regular variants will only have 64MB of onboard storage.

All of the models in the Fenix 6 series will include a heart-sensor which can be used during underwater swimming activities (10ATM), Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation, and also a “Body Battery” function. This will allow wearers to view their body’s energy levels at any given moment, by using a combination of data from the past few days of usage.

As for local pricing, the Fenix 6S and Fenix 6 start at RM2,999, with versions with scratch-resistant sapphire glass going for RM3,950. The Fenix 6X, which only comes with sapphire glass, retails at RM4,199, while the Fenix 6X Pro Solar starts at RM4,699. In addition to that, a variant of the 6X Pro Solar with a titanium bracelet will be available in Malaysia at a later date (RM5,699).

If you’d like to find out more, head over to Garmin’s official website here.