Amazon customers say they have been ditching their Apple Watch for a rival model that’s more than £50 off. Despite their premium price tag and advanced features, some find the ‘main problem’ with Apple smartwatches is the battery life, which is why shoppers are turning to the Garmin vívoactive 6.

This model usually costs £246.64 but is currently reduced to £192.75 – a saving of £53.89. This marks a record low price for the Garmin watch, according to price tracker camelcamelcamel.

Shoppers are being urged to hurry, though, with Amazon flagging the deal as ‘selling fast’ ahead of its May 5 expiry date. The Garmin vívoactive 6 is an ideal gadget for aiding one’s health and fitness journey as it boasts ‘advanced’ training features and more than 80 sports apps for tracking activities like running, cycling, swimming and golf.

It also offers an animated workout guide for HIIT, cardio and strength training, plus personalised insights on sleep and stress levels, along with key metrics such as Heart Rate Variability (HRV) status and blood oxygen. All this is delivered on the Garmin’s bright AMOLED display, with the brand claiming a promising battery life of up to 11 days depending on usage.

The Bluetooth vívoactive 6 also offers contactless payments, customisable displays and compatibility with Spotify or Apple Music. At Amazon, the 42mm model is available in a choice of two colours: Bone/Pink Dawn or Pebble Grey.

It’s worth noting that the Garmin vívoactive 6 does not offer full functionality for texting, unlike some rival Apple or Samsung models. Android phone users can send a quick reply from a list of preset, customisable messages, while iPhone users can only view messages due to Apple restrictions.

Shoppers preferring a smartwatch with full functionality alongside a host of fitness features may prefer one of the latest models, such as the Apple Watch Series 11, which Sky Mobile offers for £11 on a monthly plan. Elsewhere, Samsung is knocking £50 off the latest Galaxy Watch8 at £269 (was £319).

Even so, the Garmin vívoactive 6 has earned a 4.6-star rating from Amazon customers after 2,300 reviews. Many have highlighted the battery life as a key selling point of the device, with one user ‘mind blown’ at its more than seven-day runtime.

One says: “Absolutely fantastic fitness smartwatch, I went from an Apple Watch to a cheap knockoff to this, and it’s absolutely great. I get between five and eight days [of] battery life depending on usage, the metrics are very accurate, especially the sleep tracking, the Garmin app is so good as well and I’m loving doing the challenges. It looks so beautiful too, it’s light, and the screen display is perfect. Absolutely blown away.”

Another says: “Great smartwatch for everyday fitness. The battery lasts several days, GPS is accurate, and it tracks my steps, workouts and sleep very well. The watch is lightweight and comfortable to wear all day. The display is clear and easy to read, even outdoors. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a reliable fitness smartwatch.”

Despite their five-star review, the same buyer also noted a ‘downside’ of the Garmin vívoactive 6, adding: “The only downside is some advanced features take time to learn, but overall it’s worth the price.”

Meanwhile, another glowing review says: “I’ve owned three Apple Watch models, and the main problem was the battery life. I’d leave the house with 100% battery, and it wouldn’t last 24 hours. I’ve now had this Garmin for seven days, and it’s still showing two days of battery remaining. I’m simply mind-blown. It will easily last a full week even with heavy usage.”

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