Fossil is one of the biggest players in the fashion watch market. In recent years, the company has also made major strides in smartwatches with its lineup of stylish and feature-packed Wear OS devices. The Fossil Gen 5E and Gen 6 represent two of the brand’s latest generations of smartwatches.
For smartwatch shoppers, a key question is how these two Fossil models compare. The Gen 6 is the newer model with some upgrades, but the Gen 5E still has some compelling attributes.
This detailed comparison of the Fossil Gen 5E and Gen 6 looks at the key specs, features, and performance of both smartwatches to help you decide which one better fits your needs and budget.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Specs | Fossil Gen 5E | Fossil Gen 6 |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 | Snapdragon Wear 4100+ |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Onboard GPS | Yes | Yes |
| NFC Payments | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| SpO2 Sensor | No | Yes |
| Water Resistance | 3ATM | 3ATM |
| Battery Life | 24+ hours | 24+ hours |
| Fast Charging | Yes | Yes (80% in 30 min) |
| Speaker | No | Yes |
| Wear OS Version | Older Wear OS | Supports Wear OS 3 update |
| Case Sizes | 41mm, 44mm | 42mm, 44mm |
| Original MSRP | $249 | $299 |
Fossil Gen 5E Overview
The Fossil Gen 5E is an enhanced version of the company’s Gen 5 smartwatch that was released in 2019. It came out in 2021 as a more budget-friendly alternative to the Gen 5.
Some of the highlights of the Gen 5E include:
- Stylish design in 41mm and 44mm size options
- Interchangeable watch bands
- Wear OS software
- Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor
- 1GB RAM and 8GB storage
- Bluetooth 4.2
- Built-in GPS, NFC, heart rate monitor, accelerometer, gyroscope
- Water resistance up to 3ATM
- 24+ hour battery life
The Gen 5E runs on the older Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset. But it still provides solid performance for daily use along with helpful features like onboard GPS, NFC for Google Pay, and heart rate tracking. The water resistance makes it suitable for splashes and brief immersions, though not full swimming.
Fossil Gen 6 Overview
In 2021, Fossil launched the next generation Gen 6 smartwatch. Some of the key features and specs include:
- Stylish design in 42mm and 44mm sizes
- Interchangeable bands
- Wear OS software
- Updated Snapdragon Wear 4100+ processor
- 1GB RAM and 8GB storage
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Built-in GPS, NFC, heart rate monitor, SpO2 sensor
- Water resistance up to 3ATM
- 24+ hour battery life
The Gen 6 brings some nice upgrades like the faster Snapdragon Wear 4100+ chipset, more advanced heart rate monitoring capabilities, and the addition of a SpO2 sensor for estimating blood oxygen measurements. It provides generally zippier performance compared to the Gen 5E.
The Gen 6 also offers fast charging – you can get to 80% battery in about 30 minutes of charging. Both watches deliver roughly a day of battery life depending on usage, though the Gen 6 efficiency is slightly improved.
Design And Display
The Fossil Gen 5E and Gen 6 share very similar aesthetics with stainless steel cases and interchangeable watch bands. Both are fashionable and versatile for daily wear.
They come in two case size options:
- Fossil Gen 5E: 41mm and 44mm
- Fossil Gen 6: 42mm and 44mm
The larger 44mm/42mm cases will be the best choice for most male wrists, while the smaller 41mm/42mm options work well for many female wrists.
The displays are also comparably sized:
- Fossil Gen 5E: 1.19” AMOLED display (41mm), 1.28” AMOLED display (44mm)
- Fossil Gen 6: 1.28” AMOLED display (42mm), 1.36” AMOLED (44mm)
Both watches have bright, vibrant AMOLED touchscreens with sharp detail. Thealways-on display means you can quickly check the time without raising your wrist. Overall, the designs and displays are very similar between these two generations of Fossil smartwatches. The Gen 6 does gain slightly more screen real estate.
Also Read: Comparison Between Polar Grit X Pro And Garmin Fenix 7.
Features And Performance
Under the hood is where we see some bigger differences between the Fossil Gen 5E and Gen 6.
The Gen 6 is powered by the newer Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100+ processor while the Gen 5E has the previous generation Snapdragon Wear 3100. In real world use, this translates to snappier app loading and responsiveness on the Gen 6. It feels more fluid when navigating through Wear OS.
Both watches offer the same 1GB of RAM, which is sufficient for handling everyday tasks. And storage space is the same at 8GB on each model.
For onboard sensors, the Gen 6 pulls ahead thanks to the addition of a SpO2 sensor. This allows you to take on-demand blood oxygen measurements – an increasingly popular health metric to track. The Gen 5E lacks SpO2 monitoring capabilities.
You’ll also get faster Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity with the Gen 6 rather than Bluetooth 4.2 on the Gen 5E. This can improve pairing and syncing with your smartphone.
Otherwise, both generations of Fossil smartwatches share similar features like:
- Onboard GPS
- Contactless payments via NFC
- Optical heart rate sensor
- Accelerometer
- Ambient light sensor
- Gyroscope
- Microphone
- Vibration motor
One difference is that the Gen 6 also includes a speaker which enables taking calls from your wrist.
For activity tracking and health metrics, the Gen 6 does gain more advanced heartbeat tracking features compared to the Gen 5E. It can provide high and low heart rate alerts along with continuous background heartbeat monitoring.
Waterproofing is identical at 3ATM, meaning you can keep either Fossil model on in the shower or pool, but not for scuba diving and high velocity water activities.
Also Read: Choose Between Polar Vantage V2 And Garmin.
Battery Life
Battery life is a weak point of Wear OS smartwatches in general. Neither the Gen 5E or Gen 6 will wow in this department, but they deliver right around a full day of use on a charge which is typical.
The Gen 6 does benefit from slightly more efficient performance thanks to the newer processor. You can expect 24+ hours of mixed usage with both models, assuming you aren’t heavily using the always-on display or GPS which drain battery quicker.
Both watches support fast charging, with the Gen 6 reaching an 80% charge in about 30 minutes. So you can top them up quickly before heading out the door.
For multi-day battery, these Fossil smartwatches fall short. Plan on charging them daily. But the battery life is sufficient for sleeping with the watch and making it into the next afternoon before needing a recharge.
Smartwatch Software
The Fossil Gen 5E and Gen 6 both run Google’s Wear OS software platform. This provides excellent compatibility with Android phones. You’ll have access to Google Assistant, notifications from your phone, activity tracking, custom watch faces, and a library of Wear OS apps.
An advantage of the Gen 6 is that it launched after Wear OS 3 was announced. This means it will eventually get the update to the newest software version, which brings performance improvements and a refreshed interface. The Gen 5E will be stuck on the older Wear OS version.
Price And Value
The Fossil Gen 6 originally launched at $299, putting it at the higher end for Wear OS watches. The Gen 5E debuted at $249, providing a more budget-friendly alternative.
However, you can now find both models discounted. The Gen 6 routinely sells for $179 to $229, while the Gen 5E goes for $149 to $199.
At those price points, the Gen 6 provides better value with its faster performance, newer software support, and added health sensor. But the Gen 5E remains a solid choice for those wanting to spend less while still getting a stylish, capable smartwatch.
Both Fossil watches give you plenty of bang for your buck when compared against more expensive alternatives from brands like Samsung and Apple. It comes down to deciding if the upgrades on the Gen 6 are worth paying a little more.
Also watch the video of Gen 5E!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The key differences are the Gen 6 has a newer processor (Snapdragon Wear 4100+ Vs. 3100), Bluetooth 5.0, SpO2 sensor for blood oxygen tracking, and faster charging. The Gen 5E is otherwise very similar but an older model.
The Gen 6 is the better model overall thanks to the faster performance, longer software support, and added health tracking features like the SpO2 sensor. But it also costs more, so the Gen 5E is a decent alternative if you can find it at a lower price point.
The Gen 5E is essentially a refreshed version of the Gen 5. It is very similar but uses a cheaper processor to lower costs. Performance is nearly the same. The Gen 5 does have a speaker for calling while the 5E does not.
Yes, the Gen 5E is still a good smartwatch. The performance isn’t as snappy as the newer Gen 6, but it handles daily usage well. The design is stylish like other Fossil watches and you get helpful Wear OS features. At discounted pricing, it’s a nice affordable option.
Also Read: Is Amazfit GTS 2 Better Than Fitbit Sense?
Conclusion
For those in the market for a Wear OS smartwatch, it’s a close call between the Fossil Gen 5E and Gen 6. Here are some key facts to help you decide:
- Get the Gen 6 if you want the newest Fossil model with faster performance, added health tracking (SpO2 sensor), and longer software support. It’s the superior watch and worth spending more.
- Choose the Gen 5E if you want to save some money while still getting solid smartwatch functionality and Wear OS compatibility in an attractive design.
- The designs, displays, and core feature sets are otherwise very similar between these two generations of Fossil smartwatches. Both are stylish, capable options.
- Battery life is roughly 1 day with either model – not a key differentiateor.
- Shop around for discount pricing, as both watches can routinely be found well below MSRP.
At the end of the day, the Fossil Gen 6 wins out as the best overall choice. But bargain hunters who find a good deal on the Gen 5E can still be perfectly happy with the savings and performance it provides. Both are attractive smartwatches running Google’s Wear OS.