Garmin Fenix 5x and 5x Plus may look similar, but the difference in technicalities make them appealing to different types of consumers. Some features in the 5x are not in the 5x Plus, and some features in the 5x Plus are better than their counterparts in the 5x. So, here’s the breakdown.
Garmin Fenix 5x Vs. 5x Plus – Specs Comparison
| Features | Garmin Fenix 5x | Garmin Fenix 5x Plus |
| Battery | 14 days, 24h with GPS | 20 days, 32h with GPS |
| Sensors | Heart rate monitor, temperature sensor, accelerometer, 3D compass, barometer | Heart rate monitor, blood oxygen levels, accelerometer, barometer |
| Storage | 12GB | 16GB |
| Weight and water intake tracking | Yes | No |
| Music | No | Yes |
Garmin Fenix 5x Vs. 5x Plus – Full Comparison
The 5x Plus is an upgrade to the 5x in some aspects, but the 5x still wins in certain domains.
Battery
The battery life on both trackers is awe-inspiring. The Garmin Fenix 5x gives you 14 days on a single charge and 24 hours of continuous GPS use. This is excellent since you won’t have to worry about charging it too frequently, and a charge a day for GPS use is convenient.
With that being said, the Garmin Fenix 5x Plus wins in this category. It can go for 20 days on a single charge and 32 hours of nonstop GPS usage. Twenty days is such a long time you would forget the last time you charged the 5x Plus. And 32 hours of GPS use means you can take it on two consecutive morning runs before charging it.
Although the 5x Plus is an obvious upgrade to the 5x when it comes to battery, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go for the 5x if you want to. The 5x is significantly cheaper, anyway, and its battery life is good enough for most people. But, if you’re looking for the best battery life and you have some extra bucks to spare, then go for the 5x Plus.
Sensors
The Garmin Fenix 5x and 5x Plus have some sensors in common, but they differ in some major aspects in this category. The 5x has a temperature sensor that the 5x Plus lacks. This is especially important given the current pandemic since one of the symptoms of COVID-19 is high temperature.
On the other hand, the 5x Plus has an oxygen level sensor, which the 5x doesn’t have. This is also crucial these times since Covid-19 lowers the amount of oxygen in the blood. This sensor would also be great for hiking hundreds of meters above sea level, where oxygen levels in the airdrop, which can negatively affect health if you’re not careful.
The 5x is also a step ahead with its 3D compass. It allows you to view direction without positioning the tracker on a flat surface or keeping your arm fixed in one position. You can move your wrist, and it will still show directions properly.
To wrap it up, while the oxygen level sensor is important, the temperature sensor gives the win to the 5x here since high temperature is of the first noticeable symptoms of the Covid-19.
Fitness Features
Both trackers track your steps, your calories, your distance, your sleep, and many other specifics. However, the Garmin Fenix 5x has the upper hand with weight tracking and water intake tracking.
Weight tracking makes the 5x perfect if you want to lose weight since that is closely related to almost all other fitness features. It makes it easier to set weight loss goals.
Water intake is super important to everyone, especially those with a fitness-oriented lifestyle. Health officials recommend drinking around 2 liters of water every day, but it’s easy to forget to drink if you’re busy. So, having a fitness tracker that reminds you of your daily water intake is a plus on so many levels.
Storage & Music
The Garmin Fenix 5x Plus wins by a landslide in this category. The 5x has 12GB of data, which is already enough to store all your fitness and GPS data. However, the 5x Plus has 16GB of data, and those four extra gigs are for a very good reason: music.
Garmin has enabled Spotify on the 5x Plus, which is fantastic for people who like listening to music while exercising. The Fenix 5x doesn’t have hardware compatible with Spotify, so this is a major win for the Fenix 5x Plus.
Pros and Cons
The Garmin Fenix 5x and the Garmin Fenix 5x Plus are both good choices in their own ways, so here’s a sum-up of what we like and don’t like about each tracker.
Garmin Fenix 5x
The Fenix 5x is suitable for the time we’re living in with the temperature sensors. We would’ve definitely loved to see an oxygen level sensor. The weight tracking and water intake tracking makes it all the more appealing, though.
It doesn’t play music, but it gives you all the fitness features you’re looking for. Its 14 days of battery life are more than enough, but only 24 hours of GPS use runs the risk of forgetting to charge it before your next run.
Pros:
- Temperature sensor
- Long battery life
- Weight tracking
- Water intake tracking
Cons:
- Spotify not supported
- No oxygen level sensor
- Low battery life on GPS
Garmin Fenix 5x Plus
The Fenix 5x Plus is for those who don’t have enough time to charge it. The Fenix 5x Plus runs for 20 days before dropping out, which is more than impressive. And the 32 hours of GPS help a lot if you tend to forget charging it.
The oxygen level sensor gives it an edge over the Fenix 5x, but the lack of a temperature sensor isn’t that good of an upgrade from the Fenix 5x. It does play music, though, and we’re sure you’ll love that as much as we did.
Pros:
- Excellent battery life
- Oxygen level sensor
- Compatible with Spotify
Cons:
- No temperature sensor
- A hefty price tag
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Final Thoughts
The Garmin Fenix 5x with its temperature sensor, weight tracking, and water intake tracking make it perfect for a time where health is a top priority. You can set fitness goals and keep striving toward them for two weeks before charging it.
The Garmin Fenix 5x Plus makes frequent charging a thing of the past. You can also check your oxygen level using it to make sure your lungs are in good shape, and you’re breathing properly. And you’ll be able to do all of that while listening to music, which is pretty neat.
Both trackers are good for keeping track of your fitness goals and overall health. Which one to buy depends on your priorities and your budget.
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