When the Garmin Fenix 5X was first released, it was difficult to imagine another multisport GPS watch coming close. But of course, in classic Garmin fashion, the smartwatch brand faced this challenge head on and released the incredible Garmin Fenix 5X Plus collection. This fantastic new outdoor smartwatch boasts brand new advanced features alongside all the classic specifications that made us love the Garmin Fenix 5X in the first place.
There are three Garmin Fenix 5X Plus watches available, each showcasing their own boldly sized case measuring to 51mm in size, scratch resistant sapphire crystal glass coming as standard and full-colour transflective Garmin Chroma Display with LED backlighting. The first Garmin Fenix 5X Plus smartwatch in the collection is the Black Steel with Black Band model (010-01989-01) retailing at £749.99. Next up is the Slate Gray Steel with Brown Leather Band (010-01989-03) priced at £799.99. Finally, for those that love the durability and dexterity of titanium, the Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with DLC Titanium Band model (010-01989-05) is a luxurious choice retailing at £999.99.
So, what is the difference between the Garmin Fenix 5X and the Garmin Fenix 5X Plus? Well, not only are we treated to a new titanium model in the Garmin Fenix 5X Plus collection, but we also get a whole new range of features including music storage, Garmin Pay ability, Galileo GPS support, Pulse Ox sensor, improved battery life and much more. There’s enough new stuff piled into the Garmin Fenix 5X Plus that they could have quite easily named it the Garmin Fenix 6.
The Garmin Fenix 5X Plus smartwatch is now available to store and play up to 1,000 songs on your watch and you can also connect your Bluetooth headphones to the device for phone-free listening. They have even created a special function that allows you to sync your playlists from all your favourite music streaming services like Spotify to your watch. This is great news for those of us that can’t bear the thought of hitting the gym, running the roads or trailing the mountains without listening to their favourite music.
The new Garmin Pay feature on the Fenix 5X Plus smartwatch allows you to make convenient payments straight from your wrist giving you the freedom of not having to carry around your bulky, oversized wallet. You just have to simply swipe your watch across the contactless payment system to pay. Meanwhile, the improved battery performance which lasts up to 20 days in smartwatch mode and 13 hours in GPS mode with music means you can leave the house in full confidence knowing it will last your entire excursion.
For those that want to use the Garmin Fenix 5X Plus as the multisport GPS watch that it is, the improved navigation sensors will be music to your ears. As well as being equipped with three-axis compass, gyroscope and barometric altimeter and GPS and GLONASS multisatellite function, the Fenix 5X Plus also now includes Galileo satellite reception to connect even in most challenging environments. This, alongside the built-in full-colour TopoActive Europe mapping features are a must have for those that like to veer off course.
The wrist based Pulse Ox Acclimation sensor is another addition to the Garmin Fenix 5X Plus smartwatch that will be widely popular with those that like to monitor their levels and constantly improve their fitness. The Pulse Ox feature gives you awareness of your blood oxygen saturation levels which is especially useful when you’re adjusting to higher altitudes. To pair with this, the outdoor wearable smartwatch is also fitted with Garmin’s incredible wrist heart rate technology so you don’t have to purchase or endure the hassle of an additional HRM chest strap.
We could go on and on about our love for the Garmin Fenix 5X Plus watches and the many improvements it has made to the brand’s multisport watch collection. Instead, we think you should find out for yourself. If you want to experience the incredible Garmin Fenix 5X Plus watch, order your own here.
Specifications: Garmin Fenix 5X Plus Smartwatches (010-01989-01, 010-01989-03, 010-01989-05)
- Case Material: Steel or titanium
- Case Size: 51mm
- Glass: Domed sapphire crystal
- Battery Life: Up to 20 days in smartwatch mode, up to 32 hours in GPS mode, up to 13 hours in GPS and Music mode and up to 70 hours in UltraTrac mode
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Memory: 16GB
- Clock Features: Time/date, GPS time sync, Automatic daylight saving time, Alarm clock, Timer, Stopwatch, Sunrise/sunset times
- Sensors: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate monitor, Barometric altimeter, Compass, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Thermometer, Pulse Ox
- Daily Smart Features: Bluetooth, ANT and WiFi connectivity, Connect IQ, Smart notifications, Text response/reject phone call, Calendar, Weather, Controls smartphone music, Plays and controls watch music, Music storage for up to 1,000 songs, Find my phone, Find my watch, VIRB camera remote, iPhone and Android compatible, Garmin Pay, Garmin Connect Mobile
- Safety and Tracking Features: LiveTrack and Group LiveTrack
- Activity Tracking Features: Step counter, Move bar, Auto goal, Sleep monitoring, Calories burned, Floors climbed, Distance travelled, Intensity minutes, TrueUp, Move IQ, Fitness Age, All day stress tracking
- Fitness Profiles and Features: Strength, Cardio and Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Floor Climbing, Indoor Rowing and Yoga, Running, Treadmill Running, Trail Running, Golf, Hiking, Climbing, Mountain Biking, Skiing, Snowboarding, XC Skiing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Kayaking, Jumpmaster, Tactical, Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Swimming/Running
