Garmin has recently unveiled its newest addition to the Vivoactive series, the Vivoactive 6, positioning itself as a compelling option within their lineup of fitness-focused smartwatches. This latest iteration aims to bridge the gap between dedicated sports watches and lifestyle-oriented smartwatches, bringing a host of new features that were previously exclusive to Garmin's higher-end models.
What's New in the Vivoactive 6?
While maintaining the core strengths of its predecessor, the Vivoactive 6 introduces enhancements across both hardware and software:
- Revamped user interface with new controls and navigation
- Added approximately 50 new sport profiles and apps
- Smart Wake Alarm that wakes users during light sleep stages
- Running Dynamics support including Ground Contact Time and Stride Length
- Running Power directly from the wrist
- PacePro pacing strategies
- Breadcrumb-style Course and Route following
- Daily Suggested Walk Workouts
- Mobility profile for flexibility and strength
- Workout Animations for strength training
- Increased data fields per screen (up to 8)
- More custom data pages
- Added magnetic compass
- 8GB of internal storage (doubled from 4GB)
- Expanded GPS support with Beidou and QZSS
Design and Color Options
The Vivoactive 6 maintains a lightweight, 42mm design and 1.2” AMOLED display (390x390 resolution). It's available in four color options: black, white and gold, green, and pink.
Vivoactive 6 vs. Vivoactive 5: A Comparison
| Feature | Vivoactive 6 | Vivoactive 5 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| User Interface | Revamped, more intuitive controls | Legacy circular controls | Major upgrade |
| Sport Profiles | +50 new options | Basic profiles | Huge expansion |
| Running Dynamics | Built-in | Not supported | New |
| Running Power | Built-in | Not supported | New |
| PacePro | Included | Not available | New |
| Course Following | Included | Not available | New |
| Smart Wake Alarm | Included | Not available | New |
| Workout Animations | Included | Not available | New |
| Compass | Magnetic | None | New |
| Internal Storage | 8GB | 4GB | Doubled capacity |
| GNSS Support | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | More satellite coverage |
| Display & Size | 1.2" AMOLED, 42mm | 1.2" AMOLED, 42mm | Same size, slight brightness boost |
| Battery Life | 11 days smartwatch, 21 hrs GPS | 11 days smartwatch, 21 hrs GPS | Similar |
| Price (USD) | $299 | $299 at launch | No change |
Core Features That Remain
- AMOLED display with vibrant color and touch responsiveness
- Elevate Gen4 heart rate sensor with pulse ox
- Sleep tracking with sleep score
- HRV Status tracking
- Offline music from Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music
- Activity tracking (steps, calories, etc.)
- Body Battery and stress tracking
Competing in the Mid-Range Market
At $299, the Vivoactive 6 aims directly at the Apple Watch SE and Samsung Galaxy Watch FE. While it doesn’t include features like a speaker, microphone, or ECG, it outperforms on fitness tracking thanks to Garmin's robust data ecosystem and GPS capabilities.
Conclusion
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is a well-rounded fitness smartwatch that takes everything people loved about the Vivoactive 5 and builds on it with a more advanced feature set. From breadcrumb navigation and running power to workout animations and an improved UI, it's clear that Garmin is serious about delivering a rich, sport-forward smartwatch experience without creeping into the high-end price range.
For fitness enthusiasts seeking a reliable, data-driven smartwatch at a mid-range price, the Vivoactive 6 checks nearly every box.