Garmin fēnix 6 Solar vs. Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Garmin fēnix 6 Solar and Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS). Compare sizes, functions, displays, batteries and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right smartwatch for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the watch that will best fit your needs.

Smartwatch Specifications Comparison

Garmin fēnix 6 Solar vs. Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin fēnix 6 Solar Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Product Type Sport watch Smart watch
Operating System - WatchOS 10
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android iOS 17 or later
Activity/Sport Running, swimming, ski, cycling, hiking, climbing, snowboarding, rower, kayaking, jumpmaster, stand up paddleboarding -
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Audio Input - Microphone
Audio Output - Speaker
Width 47 mm -
Height 47 mm -
Depth 15.1 mm -
Weight 85 g -
Body Details - Case only: 31.9 g
Body Material Stainless steel, fibre-reinforced polymer 100% recycled aluminium
Protection Water-resistant Water-resistant, dust-resistant, crack-resistant
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin fēnix 6 Solar Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Sensors Accelerometer, thermometre, barometric altimeter, electromagnetic compass, pulse oximeter, optical heart sensor Digital compass, electrical heart sensor, blood oxygen sensor, optical heart sensor (3d gen), always-on altimeter, temperature sensor, high-g accelerometer, gyroscope with high dynamic range
Tracking Data Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, blood oxygen saturation, stress level Distance, time, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, sleep stages, menstrual cycle, ECG, ovulation phase, mental wellbeing
Goal Setting Yes Yes
Features Music remote handling, find phone function, HR zones, Bluetooth Smart technology, VIRB control, inactivity alert, Move IQ, Find my Device, Garmin Elevate, TrueUp, Body Battery, solar charging, dual grid coordinates format Fall detection, Emergency SOS, brightness: 2000 nits, Family Setup support, International Emergency Calling, Crash Detection, noise monitoring, Compass Waypoint, fast charge, precision finding for iPhone, elevation view
Notifications Calendar, SMS, Email, social apps, incoming calls Calendar, SMS, Email, applications, high and low heart rate, irregular rhythm, cardio fitness
Vibrating Alert - Yes
Feedback Type - Audio alert, vibration alert, visual interface
Navigation (GPS) GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou/QZSS receiver
Payment Technology Garmin Pay Apple Pay
Internet of Things (IoT) Compatible - Yes
IoT Intelligent Assistant - Siri
IoT Voice Controlled - Direct
CONNECTIVITY Garmin fēnix 6 Solar Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Wireless Interface Bluetooth, ANT+ IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth 5.3
DISPLAY Garmin fēnix 6 Solar Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - colour - transflective Retina LTPO OLED - colour
Resolution 260 x 260 pixels 352 x 430 pixels
Screen Size 1.3" -
Screen Protection Power Glass Ion-X glass
Always On Display (AOD) - Yes
INPUT DEVICE Garmin fēnix 6 Solar Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Type Touch buttons Touch sensitive screen, side button, double tap gesture
CASE Garmin fēnix 6 Solar Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Case Size 47 mm 41 mm
Case Shape Round Rectangular
Bezel Stainless steel -
Case Back Metal Sapphire crystal and ceramic back
Case Details Silver Starlight aluminium | Red aluminium | Midnight aluminium | Pink aluminum | Silver aluminium
Crown Type - Digital with haptic feedback
BAND Garmin fēnix 6 Solar Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Band Type Band Sport band
Band Size - M/L
Band Width 22 mm -
Fits Wrist with Circumference 125-208 mm 150-200 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type Buckle Pin-and-tuck
Band Material Silicone Fluoroelastomer
Band Colour Black Starlight | Red | Midnight | Light pink | Storm blue | Winter blue
STORAGE Garmin fēnix 6 Solar Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Storage Capacity 64 MB 64 GB
CPU Garmin fēnix 6 Solar Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Manufacturer - Apple
CPU Type - S9 SiP
Features - W3 Apple wireless chip, second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, 4-core Neural Engine
BATTERY Garmin fēnix 6 Solar Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Technology - Lithium Ion
Battery Life 80 day(s) 18 hours
Battery Life Details Smartwatch mode - up to 14 days
Smartwatch mode (with solar) - up to 16 days
Battery Saver Watch Mode - up to 48 days
Battery Saver Watch Mode (with solar) - up to 80 days
Max Battery GPS Mode - up to 72 hour(s)
Max Battery GPS Mode (with solar) - up to 93 hour(s)
GPS mode - up to 36 hour(s)
GPS mode (with solar) - up to 40 hour(s)
Expedition GPS Mode - up to 28 days
Expedition GPS Mode (with solar) - up to 36 days
GPS with Music mode - up to 10 hour(s)
Typical usage - up to 18 hour(s)
Low power mode - up to 36 hour(s)
Rechargeable Battery Yes Yes
Wireless Charging - Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin fēnix 6 Solar Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Included Accessories Charging/data cable Magnetic fast charger to USB-C cable (1 m)
Preloaded Software Garmin Pay GymKit
Compliant Standards - IP6X, BFR-free, PVC-free, Beryllium-free, Mercury-free, Arsenic-free
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) - 0.12 W/kg (head)
0.29 W/kg (limb)
Carbon Footprint - 0 kg carbon emissions
Max Depth of Water Resistance 100 m 50 m
Manufacturer Model Number - A2978
Other projects: