New from Garmin: The fēnix 5 Plus series

Garmin Southern Africa recently announced the fēnix 5 Plus series, its next generation of GPS multi-sport watches with built-in routable topographical maps, storage for music playlists, Garmin Pay™ contactless payment ready solution and wrist-based Pulse Ox Acclimation for blood oxygen saturation awareness. Like other fēnix 5 watches, the fēnix 5S Plus, fēnix 5 Plus and fēnix 5X Plus are built for athletes and adventurers of all sizes. These rugged, yet premium crafted watches range in size from 42–51 mm and all boast a bright, sunlight-readable display. The fēnix 5S Plus features a 1.2-inch display – almost a 20% increase over the fēnix 5S – meaning users don’t have to sacrifice screen size for a watch fit for smaller wrists.

The fēnix 5X Plus is Garmin’s first wearable to offer a wrist-based Pulse Ox sensor for blood oxygen saturation awareness. The Pulse Ox Acclimation sensor can be used to monitor blood oxygen saturation levels, helping adventurers stay safe when adjusting to higher altitudes. On strenuous climbs, the user can stop and take a reading of their oxygen levels to assess how well they’re adapting to thinner air.

The fēnix 5X Plus displays full-colour topographical maps with elevation contours.

“We are thrilled to bring exciting new features to our most popular outdoor GPS wearable series,” said Mathys Thompson, Outdoor Product Manager at Garmin Southern Africa. “We’ve added some of our most sought-after features like built-in mapping, music and contactless payments to each new model in the fēnix 5 Plus series. With the introduction of the Pulse Ox feature in the fēnix 5X Plus, our customers can now have more confidence taking their adventures to even greater heights.”

Featuring wrist-based heart rate and all the multi-sport and smart connectivity features of the previous fēnix 5 models, each of the watches in the Plus series also includes built-in map data optimised for at-a-glance navigation and location tracking. These maps can be used with the round-trip course creator that allows runners and cyclists to enter a preferred distance, then select a suggested route. The Trendline™ popularity routing feature uses Garmin Connect™ data to help users find and follow the best trails and running routes based on millions of kilometres logged by previous Garmin users.

Built-in mapping and navigation with round-trip routing and Trendline popularity data.

The fēnix 5S Plus, fēnix 5 Plus and fēnix 5X Plus allow users to listen to their favourite playlists without needing their phone. Each model includes on-device storage for up to 500 songs, as well as the ability to download offline playlists from select music streaming services such as Deezer. Simply pair the watch with compatible Bluetooth® headphones (sold separately) and start listening. All models also include Garmin Pay, the brand’s contactless payment solution, so wearers can leave their cash and cards behind and still grab a post-hike snack or coffee.

Music storage and Garmin Pay make the fēnix 5 Plus series even more versatile.

For ambitious athletes, the fēnix 5 Plus features ClimbPro, a tool that allows trail runners and cyclists to gain real-time awareness of their environment and performance during climbs. ClimbPro analyses the elevation profile of a route and detects all significant climbs. During the activity, the watch displays data on gradient, distance and elevation remaining – helping athletes manage power and pacing effectively. Each model also includes advanced training features for tracking form, physiological metrics and progress. Training status automatically evaluates recent activity to indicate whether users are maintaining, peaking or overtraining.

ClimbPro helps trail runners and cyclists visualise and manage climbs in real time.

The fēnix 5 Plus series is Connect IQ compatible, allowing users to personalise their watch with widgets, data fields, watch faces and apps. When paired with a compatible smartphone, notifications for calls, texts and emails appear directly on the wrist. The QuickFit® system makes it easy to swap out bands – no tools required – and new colour options include frost blue, seafoam and solar flare orange.

Every fēnix 5 Plus watch features multi-network satellite reception, now including Galileo, to ensure accurate tracking even in challenging environments such as deep canyons or dense forest.

Constructed from premium-grade materials, the fēnix 5 Plus series is designed for adventure. Choose between a PVD-coated stainless steel bezel with a silicone band or a lighter titanium version. Each model features a full-colour Garmin Chroma Display with LED backlighting for sunlight readability and is water-rated to 100 metres. Battery life varies by model – from 7 days in smartwatch mode for the fēnix 5S Plus to up to 20 days for the 5X Plus, with extended life in UltraTrac™ power saver mode.

The Garmin fēnix 5 Plus series is available from R13,499 to R13,999 at select retailers across South Africa.