Garmin’s new solar smartwatches boast “unlimited battery life”
Three new solar powered smart watches are coming our way – Garmin’s new Instinct Solar, Fenix 6 Solar and Tactix Delta Solar are taking eco-friendly battery life to new heights.
“The day of never having to charge your smartwatch is closer than you think,” Garmin said in a statement. “With Instinct Solar being Garmin’s first watch to provide unlimited battery life, representing an incredible innovation milestone which the company aims to build on.”
When we tested with the conventional, non-solar, Fenix 6, we loved it. It bagged a four and a half star rating from Trusted Reviews as a “perfect training companion for any serious athlete”. Adding solar charging and a resulting longer battery life could make the Fenix 6 even better – we’re excited to get our hands on one to find out.
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The Fenix 6 was an expensive piece of kit though, coming in around £529.99. If you want a cheaper option from Garmin, the Instinct may be the way to go, at around £270 – and it’s also getting a solar version.
The Garmin Fenix 6S Solar
Garmin said: “Representing a milestone for Garmin, Instinct Solar can provide unlimited battery life with sufficient solar exposure in Battery Saver mode. Using Expedition Mode with sufficient solar exposure, Instinct Solar provides increased GPS functionality while still delivering over two months of battery life. ”
However, if you take your exploration and navigating very seriously indeed, you might want to consider the upcoming Garmin Delta Tactix Solar.
It’s made to military-grade standards and has a price-tag to remind you as much, coming in around the £799 mark.
As you’d expect, the all-new solar versions will be a little more expensive. The Instinct Solar starts at an RRP of £349.99. The Fenix 6 Solar starts at £649.99 and the Tactix Delta Solar comes in at a whopping £999.99.
The Garmin Instinct Solar
Each solar watch can be purchased in a selection of variations and styles. The Instinct Solar can be bought in Surf or Tactical versions, the Fenix 6 series offers the Fenix 6 Pro Solar and the Fenix 6S Pro Solar – the Tactix Delta even boasts a “stealth mode” which disables location sharing and wireless connectivity.
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Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales, said: “Garmin’s multisport GPS watches are the choice for athletes and adventurers willing to push themselves through the next mile or over the next mountain. Using our solar capabilities, the new Instinct, fēnix 6 and 6S, and tactix Delta solar watches provide extraordinary battery life and give customers the ability to follow their passion to the sunset and further. In addition to the solar charging capabilities, these editions are full of updated and unique features. From new camouflage design patterns to surfing activity profiles, there is something for everyone.”
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.