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.

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’ve worn the Garmin Fenix 6S daily for almost six years now. Recorded hundreds of rounds of golf, running, hiking, skiing, boating, swimming. Tracks sleep scores every night. Tells me when I’ve had too much to drink. The sapphire screen is damn near indestructible. And it still gets 5 day battery life and charges to full in half an hour. I keep eyeing an upgrade but the watch still works and besides the replaceable band, looks new. The Fenix is an incredible piece of engineering.