Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs 6: What's Actually New?
Naila Syifa
Updated June 2025
Garmin’s Vivoactive series has always been a solid pick for anyone wanting a smartwatch that balances fitness tracking with smart features.
The Vivoactive 5 has already hit a sweet spot for many people, offering solid health metrics and a bright AMOLED display at a reasonable price. But now that the Vivoactive 6 is here, a lot of us are wondering—what’s actually new, and is it worth spending the extra cash?
Personally, I’ve been keeping an eye on this release just to see if Garmin made enough changes to justify calling it a true upgrade.
At first glance, the two models look nearly identical. But when you dig deeper, there are actually quite a few updates that make the Vivoactive 6 stand out. Let’s walk through it all to help you decide which one might be right for you.
Key Takeaways
The Vivoactive 6 adds a smart wake alarm, expanded satellite support, gyroscope, 23 additional activity profiles, advanced running tools, training effect tracking, workout animations, and double the storage compared to the Vivoactive 5.
Garmin Vivoactive 5
Casual & Inclusive
✓ 1.2” AMOLED
✓ 50 Activity Profiles
✓ Wheelchair Mode
✓ 11-Day Battery Life
Garmin Vivoactive 6
Active & Versatile
✓ 1.2” AMOLED
✓ 70+ Activity Profile
✓ PacePro Pacing Strategies
✓ Smart Wake Alarm
Price
Garmin Vivoactive 5
Let’s start with price. The Vivoactive 5 was originally launched at US$299.99 but has since dropped to around US$269.99 as of May 2025.
The Vivoactive 6 enters the market at the same original price point—US$299.99. So you’re looking at a US$30 difference between the two right now.
If you’re on a budget, that $30 could go toward accessories or a nice watch band. But depending on your needs, that small price bump might be worth it for what the new model brings to the table.
Design & Display
Garmin Vivoactive 6
Except for their color, the two watches are nearly twins in visual presentation. They share the same 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen with a crisp 390 x 390 pixel resolution.
The materials are also identical—silicone straps, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens, aluminum bezel, and a durable polymer case. They’re both rated 5 ATM, so no worries about swimming or getting caught in the rain.
However, there’s one new visual feature on the Vivoactive 6: Red Shift Mode. It subtly reduces blue light by adjusting the color tone of the display to shades of red, green, or orange, making it easier on the eyes in low light or at night.
It’s not groundbreaking, but if you check your watch frequently in the dark, it’s a nice touch.
Health & Fitness Features
Garmin Vivoactive 5
This is where the Vivoactive 6 starts to pull away. While both models offer comprehensive health tracking—like heart rate, blood oxygen, stress, sleep with nap detection, and Garmin’s Body Battery—they’re not exactly twins under the hood.
For starters, the Vivoactive 6 introduces a smart wake alarm that vibrates during lighter sleep stages to wake you up more gently within a 30-minute window. It sounds simple, but personally, I find this a game-changing feature for anyone who hates being jolted awake by a blaring alarm.
Navigation also gets a boost on the Vivoactive 6 thanks to expanded satellite support. While the Vivoactive 5 only supports GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo, the new model adds QZSS and BeiDou. That means better accuracy, especially in tough environments like urban areas or wooded trails.
Garmin also added a gyroscope to the Vivoactive 6, which helps improve motion detection and overall tracking precision. If you're doing high-intensity or intricate movements, this will matter.
Garmin Vivoactive 6
Then there’s the number of activity profiles. The Vivoactive 6 supports 73 different activities, up from 50 on the Vivoactive 5.
The 23 new activity profiles on the Vivoactive 6 spans activities like Mobility, Outdoor Track Running, Trail Running, Obstacle Running, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Golfing, Mountaineering, Archery, Road Biking, Gravel Biking, Bike Touring, Cyclocross, Kayaking, Snorkeling, Motorcycling, Overlanding, Motocrossing, ATVing, Snowmobiling, XC Skate Skiing, Ice Skating, and Inline Skating.
If any of those are your jam, this could be your watch.
And then when it comes to running, the Vivoactive 6 throws in more advanced tools like Running Dynamics, Race Predictor, and PacePro Pacing Strategies, making it more appealing to serious runners or even beginners who want to train smarter.
Lastly, regarding training features, both watches equally offer HRV status, recovery time, interval training, and VO2 Max, but only the new Vivoactive 6 has training effect for both aerobic and anaerobic activities, as well as on-screen workout animations to guide your moves in yoga, pilates, cardio, and strength.
Smartwatch Features
Garmin Vivoactive 5
Both models offer the core smartwatch essentials—smart notifications, Garmin Pay, and the ability to control or store music. If you’re an Android user, you’ll also be able to respond to texts and view images from notifications on both models.
But with the Vivoactive 6, you’re getting double the storage—8 GB compared to 4 GB on the Vivoactive 5. If you like having music downloaded directly to your watch for workouts, the extra storage is definitely a bonus.
Battery Life
Garmin Vivoactive 6
No changes here. Both models claim up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, or about 5 days if you keep the display always on.
Real-world usage might vary depending on how many features you use, but in general, battery life on Garmin watches tends to live up to the claims.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs 6
Final Thoughts
Garmin Vivoactive 5
So, should you upgrade or stick with the older model?
If you already have the Vivoactive 5 and it’s working just fine, the jump to the 6 probably isn’t urgent, unless you really want those extra fitness features or you're a runner who would actually benefit from the new training tools.
But if you’re buying your first Garmin or deciding between the two, the Vivoactive 6 offers better value in terms of long-term potential. More activity profiles, more accurate tracking, and thoughtful additions like smart wake alarm and extra satellite support make it feel like a more complete watch.
If you like to read more on smartwatches, check out our other relevant guides here:
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Garmin Vivoactive 4 vs 5
Garmin Vivoactive 6 vs Venu 3
Garmin Vivoactive 6 vs Forerunner 165
Author
Naila Syifa
Naila has spent over 1,800 hours researching, exploring, and writing about the latest trends in technology, consumer electronics, and smart home gadgets.
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