Garmin fēnix 6S Solar vs. Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Garmin fēnix 6S Solar and Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular). 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 6S Solar vs. Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin fēnix 6S Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Product Type Sport watch Smart watch
Operating System - WatchOS
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android iOS 16 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 42 mm -
Height 42 mm -
Depth 14.2 mm -
Weight 60 g -
Body Details - Case only: 32 g
Body Material Stainless steel, fibre-reinforced polymer Aerospace-grade aluminium alloy
Protection Water-resistant Water-resistant, dust-resistant, crack-resistant
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin fēnix 6S Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Sensors Accelerometer, thermometre, barometric altimeter, electromagnetic compass, pulse oximeter, optical heart sensor Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass, electrical heart sensor, blood oxygen sensor, gyroscope, temperature sensing, optical heart sensor (3d gen), always-on altimeter
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, rapid eye movement (REM)
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 Call handling, Fall detection, Emergency SOS, Family Setup support, International Emergency Calling, Crash Detection, noise monitoring, Compass Waypoint, brightness: 1000 nits, Edge-to-edge display
Notifications Calendar, SMS, Email, social apps, incoming calls Calendar, SMS, Email, 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
CELLULAR Garmin fēnix 6S Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Technology - WCDMA (UMTS)
Mobile Broadband Generation - 4G
SIM Card Type - Electronic SIM card (e-SIM)
CONNECTIVITY Garmin fēnix 6S Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
3M UMTS Band - Band 1, Band 2, Band 5, Band 8, Band 10
4G LTE Band - Band 1, Band 2, Band 3, Band 4, Band 5, Band 7, Band 8, Band 18, Band 19, Band 20, Band 25, Band 26, Band 28, Band 39, Band 40, Band 41, Band 66
Wireless Interface Bluetooth, ANT+ IEEE 802.11b/g/n, LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, Ultra-Wideband (UWB)
DISPLAY Garmin fēnix 6S Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - colour - transflective Retina LTPO OLED - colour
Resolution 240 x 240 pixels 352 x 430 pixels
Screen Size 1.2" -
Screen Protection Power Glass Ion-X glass
Always On Display (AOD) - Yes
INPUT DEVICE Garmin fēnix 6S Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Type Touch buttons Touch sensitive screen
CASE Garmin fēnix 6S Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Case Size 42 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 | Silver stainless steel | Gold stainless steel | Midnight aluminium | Graphite stainless steel | Silver aluminium
Crown Type - Digital with haptic feedback
BAND Garmin fēnix 6S Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Band Type Band Sport band
Band Size - Regular
Band Width 20 mm -
Fits Wrist with Circumference 108-182 mm 130-200 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type Buckle Pin-and-tuck
Band Material Silicone Fluoroelastomer
Band Colour Black Starlight | Red | White | Midnight | Silver | Gold | Graphite
STORAGE Garmin fēnix 6S Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Storage Capacity 64 MB 32 GB
CPU Garmin fēnix 6S Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Manufacturer - Apple
CPU Type - S8 SiP
Features - W3 Apple wireless chip, U1 chip
BATTERY Garmin fēnix 6S Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Technology - Lithium Ion
Battery Life 59 day(s) 18 hours
Battery Life Details Smartwatch mode - up to 9 days
Smartwatch mode (with solar) - up to 10.5 days
Battery Saver Watch Mode - up to 34 days
Battery Saver Watch Mode (with solar) - up to 59 days
Max Battery GPS Mode - up to 50 hour(s)
Max Battery GPS Mode (with solar) - up to 64 hour(s)
GPS mode - up to 25 hour(s)
GPS mode (with solar) - up to 28 hour(s)
Expedition GPS Mode - up to 20 days
Expedition GPS Mode (with solar) - up to 26 days
-
Rechargeable Battery Yes Yes
Wireless Charging - Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin fēnix 6S Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Included Accessories Charging/data cable Magnetic fast charger to USB-C cable (1 m)
Preloaded Software Garmin Pay Apple Pay, GymKit
Compliant Standards - IP6X
SAR Value - 0.31 W/kg (head), 0.55 W/kg (head)
Max Depth of Water Resistance 100 m 50 m
Manufacturer Model Number - A2773
Warranty - 1-year warranty
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