Fenix 6 Standard

I just went from a Fenix 6s to a Fenix 8, and I'm really glad I upgraded screens from MIP to AMOLED (along with size to 47mm). Not as important to everyone, but I think it's something worth comparing and considering.

I'd suggest creating a list of features in your AWU that you can't live without, then seeing if Garmin can support it. This will help you decide if you'll be ok with the tradeoffs and also potentially help you assess what you truly "need" out of a watch. I would also assess the features on the Garmin watch you're interested in, and see how that compares with the AWU. You may end up with things you "need" or really want that the AWU doesn't have (e.g., battery life or flashlight). Afterwards, assess your tradeoffs both ways. You might find one is missing more than the other, or one is missing more important things to you. I got the F8 (AMOLED 47mm) recently and now I don't know how I was even surviving with only the 9 days on my F6S before this! I forget the last time I even charged it. The flashlight has also been very helpful for random things. Also, I would recommend sticking with an AMOLED display, I think you'll be very underwhelmed with a MIP one coming from your AWU.

Fenix 6s to Ultra 3. The F6 has always had terrible battery life and doesn't hold water to the U3 as a daily driver. I average about 20+ miles of road running per week and the U3 has been great, though I think Garmin's native workout apps are a little better than Apple's native workout app. So far, the U3 is lightyears ahead of my F6, but, in due fairness, the F6 is a 5+ year old watch. We'll see how things go this winter with he U3 for backcountry hiking, climbing and skiing.

I dumped my 6s for an AWU3 - zero regrets. The only thing I miss is native, on-board mapping.

Definitely keep the Fenix 6X. My wife is still using a 6S and happy with it, I'm using an Instinct with a 7X for hiking. Apple Watch is just way too distracting. The biggest problem isn't even the horrible battery life and having to charge every day, it's the feeling of being a complete slave to your phone.  Having a phone on your wrist just isn't good for your mental health with all the constant buzzing and notifications. It creates so much stress. Sure you can turn off most of the notifications but at that point you're just using a worse Garmin. 

Definitely keep the Fenix 6X. My wife is still using a 6S and happy with it, I'm using an Instinct with a 7X for hiking. Apple Watch is just way too distracting. The biggest problem isn't even the horrible battery life and having to charge every day, it's the feeling of being a complete slave to your phone.  Having a phone on your wrist just isn't good for your mental health with all the constant buzzing and notifications. It creates so much stress. Sure you can turn off most of the notifications but at that point you're just using a worse Garmin. 

Fenix 6S. Its been great for five years and has seen many miles around the world, but the altimeter hasn't worked for almost a year and that has impacted data quality. Have to recharge every 5 days instead of 8. I have small wrists and I hate that the logical next upgrade is the 8.

I am happy with my Garmin Fenix 6S. It's almost 4 years. Battery still lasts about a week depending on how much I use the GPS. Bought it on sale back then for 300€ I record my commute to track kms, wear on "gear" like wheels and chain. I still don't have the need to replace it, but if so, I would probably get a venu 3s... The fenix 6s has tons of cool features that I don't really use, so I think the venu or vivostyle are enough.