Garmin appears to be on the verge of releasing its next mainstream smartwatch, with multiple sources pointing to an April launch for the Vivoactive 6. Following just a year after the Vivoactive 5, this update seems to focus on enhanced running features while maintaining the same general design and core functionality of its predecessor.
Design and Display Continuity
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 will reportedly maintain a familiar aesthetic, featuring a 42.2mm case with a slight reduction in thickness to 10.9mm (down from 11.1mm on the Vivoactive 5). The watch will continue to use a fiber-reinforced polymer case with an aluminum bezel, weighing approximately 26 grams without the strap. According to leaked renders, the new model will be available in four colors: Black, Bone (white), Jasper Green, and Pink Dawn, offering a fresh palette compared to the previous generation's options. One notable design change appears to be a more elevated top-right button, potentially improving usability.
Enhanced Running Capabilities
While maintaining its position as Garmin's mainstream smartwatch offering, the Vivoactive 6 seems poised to inherit several running-focused features previously reserved for the company's higher-end Fenix, Enduro, and Forerunner lines. These reportedly include Running Power, Vertical Oscillation, Ground Contact Time, and PacePro technology. These additions should provide runners with significantly more detailed metrics and training tools without requiring them to invest in Garmin's premium models.
Technical Specifications
The Vivoactive 6 will continue to feature a 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen with 390 x 390 pixel resolution, offering the same display experience as its predecessor. Storage capacity will reportedly double to 8GB, allowing users to store more music for offline playback through services like Spotify and YouTube Music. The watch will maintain comprehensive satellite navigation support, adding BeiDou and QZSS to the existing GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo systems for improved location accuracy.
Health Monitoring Limitations
Despite the upgrades in running features, the Vivoactive 6 will apparently stick with Garmin's Elevate v4 heart rate sensor rather than adopting the newer v5 sensor found in premium models like the Venu 3 and Fenix 8. This means the watch will lack ECG functionality and skin temperature readings. Additionally, sources indicate it will continue to omit a barometric altimeter, which was a noted limitation of the Vivoactive 5.
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| ECG monitoring summary demonstrating the heart rate functionality that the Vivoactive 6 will lack |
New Features and Battery Life
Among the new features reportedly coming to the Vivoactive 6 are animated workouts, which should benefit indoor exercise sessions, and a Smart Alarm function that could potentially wake users during lighter sleep phases. Battery life is expected to remain unchanged from the Vivoactive 5, offering approximately 11 days of standard use or 5 days with the always-on display activated.
Pricing and Availability
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is expected to maintain the USD $300 price point of its predecessor, positioning it as a mid-range option in Garmin's extensive smartwatch lineup. Multiple sources suggest the watch will be announced and released sometime in April 2025, potentially within days or weeks.
Additional Garmin Releases Expected
Beyond the Vivoactive 6, rumors suggest Garmin is preparing updates to its Forerunner series later this year. The Forerunner 270 and Forerunner 970 are reportedly in development as successors to the current Forerunner 265 and 965 models, though details about these devices remain scarce. These higher-end running watches will likely maintain their respective price points around USD $450 and USD $600, offering more advanced training and recovery features for serious athletes.