Garmin vivoactive 6 – Sporty smartwatch gets even sportier
Garmin is about to unveil the vivoactive 6 – a sporty smartwatch in the mid-range segment that will likely get even sportier. After Gadgets & Wearables published the first press renders in advance, it is worth taking a look at the specs and how the watch compares to its predecessor.
With vivoactive, Garmin has created a brand that never quite fits exclusively into either the sports or lifestyle segment. Instead, it aims to meet the demands of two target groups — at least to some extent. After all, the vivoactive brand already carries the idea of supporting an active lifestyle in its name.
Almost 1.5 years after the vivoactive 5‘s release in 2023 the vivoactive 6 is about to hit the shelves in a couple of weeks. Referring to the leaked press renders, the appearance of the vivoactive 6 has changed little compared to its predecessor. Consequently, it is the set of features that are supposed to make the vivoactive 6 shine.
Note: Garmin has not yet officially released the vivoactive 6. The information presented here is from Reddit, the aforementioned website, and online retailers that had published product pages for a matter of hours before taking them offline again. Therefore, all details gathered here should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Garmin vivoactive 6 – Comparison with its predecessor
| vivoactive 6 | vivoactive 5 | Forerunner 165 Music | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | AMOLED | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Display size | 1.20" | 1.20" | 1.20" |
| Resolution | PPI | 390 × 390 | 325 | 390 × 390 | 325 | 390 × 390 | 325 |
| Dimensions | 42.2 × 42.2 × 10.9 mm | 42.2 × 42.2 × 11.1 mm | 43.0 × 43.0 × 11.6 mm |
| Weight | 26 g without strap | 26 g without strap | 29 g without strap |
| Material (bezel) | Aluminum | Aluminum | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Material (case) | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Material (back) | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
As you can see the new model and its predecessor differ only slightly. The most noticeable visual difference is probably due to the redesign of the upper of the two buttons, which Garmin has placed on the right side of the case. Unlike the vivoactive 5, the button on the sixth-generation model protrudes more prominently.
Garmin vivoactive 6 – New and noteworthy
Garmin’s improvements to the vivoactive 6 are largely based on the functionality of the newer models. Completely new functions are generally not to be expected in mid-range models. The increase in functions is therefore evolutionary and primarily improves the sporting capabilities of the watch:
- Onboard storage doubled
Garmin doubles the onboard storage of the vivoactive 6 from 4 GB to 8 GB. This primarily benefits the watch’s music capabilities, as it is likely intended solely for storing MP3 files and offline streaming content. The vivoactive 6 won’t support offline maps.
- Support for QZSS and BeiDou
The vivoactive 6 will reportedly support two additional satellite positioning systems, BeiDou and QZSS, further expanding its global navigation capabilities. These will complement Garmin’s long-standing support for GNSS systems such as GPS, Galileo, and GLONASS. Notably, Garmin had already introduced this expanded compatibility with the Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 late last year. However, the vivoactive 6 lacks multiband capabilities and does not feature SatIQ.
- Smart alarm
An online retailer has attributed a smart alarm function to the vivoactive 6. Whether this is a sleep phase alarm remains to be seen in Garmin’s official announcement. Such a function would certainly benefit the vivoactive 6, as sleep phase alarms have been a standard feature offered by competitors for many years.
- Support for Garmin Share
With Garmin Share, data (including locations, routes, or workouts) can be shared between compatible Garmin devices without the need for using the Connect app on a smartphone. The only requirement is that the devices are within a maximum distance of 3 meters and have data sharing enabled.
- Running metrics and animated workouts
The most significant functional upgrade in the vivoactive 6 lies in its sports capabilities, as users will reportedly gain access to Garmin’s ‘Running Dynamics’ suite of advanced running metrics. This includes vertical oscillation, stride length, vertical ratio, ground contact time, cadence, and running power — key insights for runners looking to optimize their efficiency and minimize injury risk. Notably, running power offers an alternative to traditional heart rate-based training, providing a more dynamic measure of effort.
In addition to the running metrics, the vivoactive 6 features animated workouts — a function that has been available on Garmin devices for some time but was not included in the vivoactive 5.
It remains uncertain whether the watch will include features specifically designed to counteract prolonged sitting. It is yet to be seen if this will be limited to simple reminders to stand up or if the watch will introduce guided mobility workouts. Such a feature could encourage movement not just before and after work but seamlessly throughout the day, making it especially beneficial for those in sedentary work environments.
Beyond the highlighted enhancements, what’s missing from the available information about the vivoactive 6 is just as intriguing. Press renders suggest that Garmin has retained the aging Elevate V4 sensor. While this may not impact most users, the V4 sensor notably lacks ECG capability — a feature increasingly common in modern smartwatches. In comparison, the absence of a barometric altimeter seems like a smaller drawback, though it does mean the watch cannot accurately track climbed floors. Additionally, a barometric altimeter would have been beneficial for athletes training in hilly environments.
Consistent battery life
The vivoactive 6 is expected to offer the same battery life as the vivoactive 5. Given that the display and battery remain unchanged and most of the new features rely on existing sensors, this consistency in battery performance is understandable.
Pricing and availability
Garmin has yet to officially announce the vivoactive 6. However, given recent online activity, its release seems imminent — likely just weeks, if not days, away from appearing on the company’s website and in online stores.
Like its predecessor, the vivoactive 6 will be available in four color variants:
- Black / Slate
- Bone / Lunar Gold
- Jasper Green / Jasper Green Metallic
- Pink Dawn / Pink Dawn Metallic
While the price in Germany will be €329, the U.S. pricing is expected to be around $300.
Sources: Gadgets & Wearables | Reddit
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