Garmin Fenix 5 Plus features, specs and early verdict…. certainly not a full review

After months of speculation and the last few weeks of leaks, the Garmin Fenix 5 Plus series has been officially released that brings a range of new smart and fitness features from Garmin Pay, Galileo GPS support, Music storage and finally maps across the full Fenix 5 Plus line up along with PulseOX featured only on the Fenix 5x Plus.

The original Fenix 5 series was launched in January 2017 bringing some new features like FirstBeat training load and training status. For the first time, Garmin launched a series with different designs that catered to different tastes with the Fenix 5x being the flagship device with maps.

Whats new across the entire Fenix 5 Plus range

Pre-installed TopoActive maps

Pre-installed TopoActive mapping on the entire Fenix 5 Plus series, with map data optimised for easy navigation and tracking. This is welcome news as the previous Fenix 5x didn’t have Topo maps in the UK and the rest of the world.

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Turn by turn navigation

Because you get the maps in the Fenix 5 Plus, you will also get the turn by turn navigation for the first time on the Fenix 5s and the Fenix 5 Plus.

Trendline Popularity Routing

Trendline was originally featured on the Edge 1030 and now its made its way to the Fenix 5 Plus series. You can use billions of miles of Garmin Connect data to help you find and track the best trails and routes for cyclists and runners. I found this ok when using it with the Edge 1030, so looking forward to giving this a full test on the Fenix 5 Plus

ClimbPro

The Fenix 5 Plus features ClimbPro, a new feature that allows trail runners and cyclists who like to train in hilly areas, gain better awareness of their environment and their performance during climbs. ClimbPro analyses the elevation profile of a course and detects all relevant climb sections. During the ride or race, the athlete knows, at any time, how far he or she is from the next climb and how hard the climb will be

Garmin Pay

All models of the Fenix 5 Plus series are ready for Garmin Pay – the contactless payment solution allows you to conveniently pay with your watch so you can leave cash and cards at home. Garmin just needs to work on rolling out the payment system to more banks in the UK and Europe.

GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO

Garmin has included multi-satellite network capable of tracking using GPS, GLONASS and for the first in a Garmin Fitness watch, Galileo. This is another feature I am looking forward to testing out.

Music storage

The Garmin Fenix 5 Plus series will allow you to store 500 songs, pair Bluetooth headphones and sync with music streaming services from Deezer and iHeartRadio. The series will work in the same way as the Forerunner 645 music and the Vivoactive 3 Music.

Sapphire crystal screen

All models of the Fenix 5 Plus line up include sapphire crystal screens. The previous Fenix 5 Lineup you had to pay extra for the Sapphire crystal screen, however, the new Fenix 5 Plus prices do reflect the extra

So with that out of the way, lets get onto what is different in each model of the Fenix 5 Plus series

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Garmin Fenix 5 Plus series in pictures

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Fenix 5 plus video

Design and features of the Fenix 5 Plus series

Garmin Fenix 5 Plus

The Garmin Fenix 5s Plus will come in 4 designs,

Sapphire, Black with Black Band

Sapphire, Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with DLC Titanium Band

Sapphire, Titanium with Solar Flare Orange Band

Sapphire, Black with Black Leather Band

All Fenix 5 Plus models will come with a sapphire crystal screen. The battery is down to 12 days, which is down from the 14 days of the previous model

Case size 47mm

Fenix 5 Plus – Weight 87g

Fenix 5 Plus titanium – weight 76g

1.2-inch display and 240 for 240 pixels

Sapphire crystal doomed glass

Fiber-reinforced polymer case

22mm QuickFit bands. The Fenix 5 Plus comes with a black band and the titanium comes with an orange band

Stainless steel buttons

Waterproof up to 10 ATM

Smart notification with quick answers directly from the watch (you can reply with phrases made directly from the watch without using the smartphone)

16GB storage for maps and activities, 4GB is reserved for music

Built-in navigation sensors include three-axis compass, gyroscope and barometric altimeter as well as multiple satellite system with GPS, GLONASS and Galileo.

Battery performance: up to 12 days in smartwatch mode and 8 hours in GPS mode with music

Pre-installed activity profiles for all your sports and adventures with a few new activities.

Wifi and Bluetooth enabled along with Garmin Connect Mobile support, of course!

FirstBeat built in with training status, training load, Vo2 Max and recovery advisor

ANT+ support for power meters, cadence sensors, chest HR straps and others.

Integrated pulse measurement on the wrist you have the full overview of your current heart rate, the course during the last 4 hours, as well as the average daily and 7-day value.

GroupTrack and LiveTrack built into the Fenix 5 Plus

Garmin Fenix 5s Plus

The Garmin Fenix 5s Plus will come in 4 designs,

Sapphire, White with Carrera White Band

Sapphire, Black with Black Band

Sapphire, White with Gray Suede Band

Sapphire, Rose Gold-tone with Carrara White Band – $849.99

Garmin has also included a 1.2inch 240 x 240-pixel screen which is an upgrade on the previous Fenix 5s, I suspect this is down to the maps now on the device. The battery is down to 7 days, which is down from the 9 days of the previous model

Case size 42mm

Weight 69g

1.2-inch display and 240 for 240 pixels

Sapphire crystal domed glass

Fiber-reinforced polymer case

20mm QuickFit bands. The Fenix 5s Plus comes with a black band and white bands for the silver and rose gold models

Stainless steel buttons

Waterproof up to 10 ATM

Smart notification with quick answers directly from the watch (you can reply with phrases made directly from the watch without using the smartphone)

16GB storage for maps and activities, 4GB is reserved for music

Built-in navigation sensors include three-axis compass, gyroscope and barometric altimeter as well as multiple satellite system with GPS, GLONASS and Galileo.

Battery life: up to 7 days in smartwatch mode (depending on settings), up to 24 hours in GPS mode or up to 75 hours in UltraTrac™ battery saver mode.

Pre-installed activity profiles for all your sports and adventures with a few new activities.

Wifi and Bluetooth enabled along with Garmin Connect Mobile support, of course!

FirstBeat built in with training status, training load, Vo2 Max and recovery advisor

ANT+ support for power meters, cadence sensors, chest HR straps and others.

Integrated pulse measurement on the wrist you have the full overview of your current heart rate, the course during the last 4 hours, as well as the average daily and 7-day value.

GroupTrack and LiveTrack built into the Fenix 5s Plus

Garmin Fenix 5x Plus

The Garmin Fenix 5x Plus will come in 2 designs,

Sapphire, Black with Black Band – $849

Sapphire, Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with DLC Titanium Band – $1299

The headline feature for the Fenix 5x Plus comes with PulseOX and combined with The ClimbPro feature, on strenuous climbs higher climbs, the Fenix 5x Plus Pulse Ox Acclimation sensor provides additional information.

Case size 51mm

Weight 96g, that is a whole 2g down on the previous Fenix 5x

1.2-inch display and 240 for 240 pixels

Sapphire crystal domed glass

Fiber-reinforced polymer

26mm QuickFit bands. The Fenix 5s Plus comes with a black band only, no metal option at this time

Stainless steel buttons

Waterproof up to 10 ATM

Smart notification with quick answers directly from the watch (you can reply with phrases made directly from the watch without using the smartphone)

16GB storage for maps and activities, 4GB is reserved for music

Built-in navigation sensors include three-axis compass, gyroscope and barometric altimeter as well as multiple satellite system with GPS, GLONASS and Galileo.

Battery life: up to 20 days in smartwatch mode (depending on settings), up to 20 hours in GPS mode or up to 75 hours in UltraTrac™ battery saver mode.

13 hours in GPS mode with music

Pre-installed activity profiles for all your sports and adventures with a few new activities.

Wifi and Bluetooth enabled along with Garmin Connect Mobile support, of course!

FirstBeat built in with training status, training load, Vo2 Max and recovery advisor

ANT+ support for power meters, cadence sensors, chest HR straps and others.

Integrated pulse measurement on the wrist you have the full overview of your current heart rate, the course during the last 4 hours, as well as the average daily and 7-day value.

GroupTrack and LiveTrack built into the Fenix 5s Plus

Garmin Fenix 5 Plus pricing and stock

Garmin has announced the Fenix 5 Plus series today and all models should ship within the next 5 days. Below is the pricing and also links to retailers that have them in stock mostly on a next day delivey basis. US links are Amazon and the UK links are Cotswold Outdoors.

Garmin Fenix 5 Plus non sapphire pricing $699 / £599

Sapphire, Black with Black Band – $799 / £699

Sapphire, Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with DLC Titanium Band – $1099 / £949

Sapphire, Titanium with Solar Flare Orange Band – $849 / £749

Sapphire, Black with Black Leather Band – $849 / £749

1,081 Reviews Garmin fēnix 5 Plus, Premium Multisport GPS... Premium multi sport GPS smartwatch that estimates heart rate at the wrist and includes color TOPO maps featuring trend line popularity routing to help you find and follow the best paths

Fit for adventure with rugged design that features stainless steel or diamond like carbon (DLC) Titanium bezel, buttons and rear case

Links to UK retailers

UK links to buy

Garmin Fenix 5s Plus pricing

Non-Sapphire White with Sea Foam Band – $699 / £599

Non-sapphire Silver with Black Band – $699 / £599

Sapphire, White with Carrera White Band -$849.99 / £749

Sapphire, Black with Black Band $799.99 / £699

Sapphire, White with Gray Suede Band $849.99 / £749

Sapphire, Rose Gold-tone with Carrara White Band – $849.99

Sapphire, White with Rose Gold-tone Metal Band – £899

1,081 Reviews Garmin fēnix 5S Plus, Smaller-Sized... Smaller-sized multisport GPS smartwatch that estimates heart rate at the wrist and includes color TOPO maps featuring Trendline popularity routing to help you find and follow the best paths

Fit for adventure with bold design that features a large 1.2” sunlight-readable display and stainless steel bezel, buttons and rear case

Links to UK retailers

UK links to buy

Garmin Fenix 5x Plus pricing

Sapphire, Black with Black Band – $849 / £749

Sapphire, Slate Grey with Brown Leather Band – £749

Sapphire, Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with DLC Titanium Band – $1149 / £999

1,082 Reviews Garmin Fēnix 5X Plus, Ultimate Multisport... Ultimate multisport GPS watch that estimates heart rate at the wrist and includes color Topo maps featuring trend line popularity routing to help you find and follow the best paths

Wrist based Pulse Ox Acclimation sensor, a non medical device that provides awareness of your estimated blood oxygen saturation levels especially useful when you’re adjusting to higher altitudes (not available in all countries)

Links to UK retailers

UK links to buy

Garmin Fenix 5 Plus early verdict

Some of the features of the Fenix 5 Plus series come as a very little surprise given that lots of the other devices in the lower Garmin categories already feature Garmin Pay, Music storage.

But the inclusion of Galileo which will hopefully improve GPS tracking and instant pace, but we need to wait and see with further testing. I also like that Garmin has also included Topo maps on the full range, but as I have said to others I only use it for hiking and tend not to use it for much else.

The Battery life on the Fenix 5x Plus is impressive given the extra PulseOX sensor and music onboard with a 13 hours GPS battery life with music, but this does need verifying

Its still early days to give a full verdict on the Fenix 5 Plus lineup, but my biggest concern is the price jump for all the models