Fossil Gen 5 vs. Gen 5E vs. Gen 6: Differences and Reviews 2025

Fossil Gen 5 vs. Gen 5E vs. Gen 6

Where to buy Fossil?

①You can purchase the Fossil smartwatches from Fossil's website, and don't forget to sign up at Extrabux (What is Extrabux?) , then you can get 2% super cashback from Extrabux! Sign-Up Bonus: Free to join it & get $20 welcome bonus!

②You can also purchase Fossil from places like Best Buy (0.5% super cashback), Amazon, and Walmart (up to 4% super cashback). 

Fossil Gen 5 Review

It's been a couple years since the Fossil Gen 5 came out, but its strong physical design and Wear OS software make it a serviceable wearable that you can probably get for cheaper this long after release. The Fossil Gen 5 includes onboard GPS, 8 GB of internal storage, and a rotating crown for seamless navigation. While there may still be some appeal, users will have to start thinking about the bigger picture. Aside from having an outdated processor, the Gen 5 models are not eligible for the Wear OS 3 upgrade. 

Fossil Gen 5E Review

The Fossil Gen 5E is a lite version of the original model, if you will. You only get 4 GB of internal storage, and you'll need to rely on your phone for connected GPS. While there's a side button, it doesn't have a rotating crown. Finally, you'll have two size options (44mm and 42mm) to choose from, which is ideal for users with smaller wrists. 

Fossil Gen 6 Review

Fossil Gen 6 succeeds the popular Fossil Gen 5, and like the Gen 5E, Fossil Gen 6 comes in two sizes; 44mm and 42mm. The Gen 6 has a lot of similarities with the Gen 5, it has the same 1GB RAM and 8GB storage as Gen 5 plus a microphone, loudspeaker, and also shares the same health tracking features as the Gen 5. However, the Gen 6 powered by a more sophisticated Snapdragon 4100+ welcomes Spo2 tracking and features Bluetooth v5.0 for faster transfer and connectivity. Not only do you get the latest processor and improved performance, but your watch will be eligible to upgrade to Wear OS 3 in 2025.

Fossil Gen 5 vs. Gen 5E vs. Gen 6: Price

• Fossil Gen 5 for $256.32 at Amazon.com

• Fossil Gen 5E for $199 at Fossil.com

• Fossil Gen 6 from $299 at Fossil.com
  

Fossil Gen 5 vs. Gen 5E vs. Gen 6: Release Time

Fossil Gen 5 vs. Gen 5E vs. Gen 6: Design

Fossil Gen 5

• Design-wise, the Fossil Gen 5 may not stand out as anything special, but it's a good-looking watch nonetheless. The 44mm case is available in a variety of colors, including Rose Gold, Smoke Stainless Steel, and the subdued Black that I have.

• The Fossil Gen 5 blends into whatever you're wearing or doing quite admirably. The Fossil Gen 5 has three buttons on the side. There's the larger middle button which is a rotating crown for easily scrolling through options or the apps menu.

• In addition, there are two other buttons on either side of it that can be set as shortcuts. By default, one goes straight to the Fossil app while the other activates Fossil's Category setting, which tweaks the style and look of your watch at the touch of a button.

• On the back of the Fossil Gen 5 there's the optical heart rate monitor which sticks out slightly than with most smartwatches. It's not noticeable in use and also doubles as the perfect resting place for the magnetic charging puck.

Fossil Gen 5e

• Gen 5E is matched to a 44mm black stainless steel case, which is the same size as the older Gen 5 watch but without the two buttons flanking the crown. This gives it a neater look without drastically compromising functionality. You can also buy the Gen 5E with a 42mm case, making it suitable for smaller wrists. Buy the smaller watch and it has an 18mm strap rather than 22mm version on the larger Gen 5E watch. As there are only a few smartwatches made exclusively for women, choice like this is very welcome. Fossil’s range of designs for the Gen 5E is varied and well-considered, the build quality is excellent.

• Gen 5E, the watch’s bezel is smooth, curved, and an aid to swiping across the screen, but the screen’s bezel is almost obnoxiously large. The Gen 5E’s screen measures 1.19-inches so it’s quite small, and combined with the big, black case, really emphasizes the big, black screen bezel. 

Fossil Gen 6

• For Gen 6, you're getting a bit more variety in terms of looks and options that are better suited to men and women. There are several color (including Black, a grayish Smoke, and Rose Gold) available with 42mm and 44mm case options available.

• The Fossil uses 22mm and 18mm straps based on case size that you opt for with additional leather, silicone and steel straps available. There's a mix of touchscreen and physical buttons when it comes to interacting with these devices. 

• The Fossil Gen 6’s design doesn’t change much on its predecessors – it’s still a black-cased round smartwatch with varying watch bands (like the default black flexible plastic watch bands) and a crown on the right side flanked by pusher buttons on either side. The new wearable has gotten a few tweaks to set it apart from the Gen 5, so it’s not exactly the same, but you’d have to get close to tell the difference. The most obvious change is the small ridge on the edge of the bezel, which is certainly more visually interesting than the clean edges of the Fossil Gen 5.

Fossil Gen 5 vs. Gen 5E vs. Gen 6: Battery Life

Gen 6 has a slightly longer battery life. As a result of the 4100+ chip paired with 1GB RAM, the Gen 6 has slightly faster performance than its predecessor. Fossil claims a 30% boost in performance which will allow you to do more in lesser time. As a result, it has a slightly longer battery life than Gen 5 & Gen 5E.

Fossil Gen 5 vs. Gen 5E vs. Gen 6: Processor 

• Fossil Gen 5 & Gen 5E: Snapdragon Wear 3100 

• Gen 6: Snapdragon Wear 4100+

It’s certainly a decent improvement from the Snapdragon 3100 chip which powers the Fossil Gen 5 & 5E. The 4100+ is a 12nm chip compared to the 28nm process of the 3100 chip. It boasts a performance by up to 30%. It also features the QCC1110 co-processor introduced to the 3100 chip. This co-processor handles the always-on display mode feature and other small tasks, thereby saving you battery life.

Fossil Gen 5 vs. Gen 5E vs. Gen 6: Bluetooth

• Fossil Gen 5 & Gen 5E: Bluetooth 4.2 LE

• Gen 6: Bluetooth 5.0

Gen 6 comes with Bluetooth 5.0 compared to Bluetooth 4.2 of its predecessor. This enables faster transfer allowing you to save time and battery life.

Fossil Gen 5 vs. Gen 5E vs. Gen 6: Sensors

Fossil Gen 6 has an Spo2 sensor for blood oxygen measurement. Spo2 blood oxygen measurement has been introduced to Gen 6. It will allow you to measure your blood oxygen which can help you see how well your blood utilizes oxygen. This feature can come in handy in helping you understand how well you sleep and if you are climbing, it can help you know when to stop climbing. Although this feature is long overdue, it’s better late than never.

Which One Should You Buy?

The Gen 5E with two different size options, which is a departure from the Gen 5. But only other major differences are the lack of GPS, less internal storage, and a slimmed-down side button setup. 

The new Gen 6 model offers a boosted Wear OS performance, SpO2 blood oxygen monitors, and faster charging times. In addition, The Gen 6 is eligible to upgrade to the Wear OS 3 platform. If you’re considering an upgrade, it is worth it for the more advanced fitness features, but if you’re not bothered about this, you could stick with the Fossil Gen 5 watch or Fossil Gen 5E.

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