Apple Watch Original vs. Garmin Instinct

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Side by side comparison and review of Apple Watch Original and Garmin Instinct. Compare design, displays, functions, batteries and other key specifications and features to simplify the choice of your perfect smartwatch. Our goal is to make it easier for you to decide on the watch that will best meet your expectations by revealing the main differences between the products.

Smartwatch Specifications Comparison

Apple Watch Original vs. Garmin Instinct Comparison Chart
GENERAL Apple Watch Original Garmin Instinct
Product Type Smart watch Sport watch
Operating System WatchOS 2 -
Supported Host Device OS iOS 8.2 or later iOS, Android
Activity/Sport - Running, swimming, ski, cycling, hiking, eSport, climbing, yoga, workout, snowboarding, cardio training, rower, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, mountain biking
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Audio Input Microphone -
Audio Output Speaker -
Width 33.3 mm 45 mm
Height 38.6 mm 45 mm
Depth 10.5 mm 15.3 mm
Weight 40 g 53 g
Body Material Stainless steel, zirconia ceramics Fibre-reinforced polymer
Protection Splashproof Waterproof
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Apple Watch Original Garmin Instinct
Sensors Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, gyro sensor, heart rate Accelerometer, digital compass, thermometre, barometric altimeter, optical heart sensor
Tracking Data Distance, time, calories burned, activity, heart rate, steps taken Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, stress level, menstrual cycle, hydration
Goal Setting - Yes
Features Call handling, hands-free, music remote handling, camera remote control, listening to music, MagSafe technology with inductive charging, Force Touch, Digital Crown, Retina Display technology, Digital Touch Music remote handling, find phone function, VIRB control, inactivity alert, Move IQ, Find my Device, Garmin Elevate, LiveTrack, TrueUp, Body Battery, Physio TrueUp
Notifications Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Navigation (GPS) - GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver
Payment Technology Apple Pay -
CONNECTIVITY Apple Watch Original Garmin Instinct
Wireless Interface IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+
DISPLAY Apple Watch Original Garmin Instinct
Type OLED - colour Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective
Resolution - 128 x 128 pixels
Dimensions (WxH) - 23 mm x 23 mm
Screen Protection Sapphire glass Chemically strengthened glass
INPUT DEVICE Apple Watch Original Garmin Instinct
Type Touch sensitive screen (Force Touch) Touch buttons
CASE Apple Watch Original Garmin Instinct
Case Size 38 mm -
Case Shape - Round
Bezel - Fibre-reinforced polymer
Case Back Ceramic back -
Case Details Stainless steel | Space black stainless steel Black lava | Coyote tan | Sunburst | Lakeside blue | Sea foam | Tundra | Graphite | Flame red
Crown Type Digital -
BAND Apple Watch Original Garmin Instinct
Band Type Classic buckle Strap
Band Size S -
Band Width - 22 mm
Fits Wrist with Circumference 130-195 mm 132-224 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type Buckle Buckle
Band Material Calf leather Silicone
Band Colour Saddle brown | Red | Blue jay | Marigold | Pearl | Space black | Midnight blue | Soft pink | White | Black | Brown Lava black | Coyote tan | Sunburst | Lakeside blue | Sea foam
CPU Apple Watch Original Garmin Instinct
Manufacturer Apple -
CPU Type S1 -
BATTERY Apple Watch Original Garmin Instinct
Technology - Lithium Ion
Battery Life 18 hours 14 day(s)
Battery Life Details Talk time - up to 3 hour(s)
Audio playback - up to 6.5 hour(s)
Smartwatch mode - up to 14 days
Esports mode - up to 80 hour(s)
GPS mode - up to 16 hour(s)
UltraTrac mode - up to 40 hour(s)
Rechargeable Battery - Yes
Recharge Time 2.5 hour(s) -
MISCELLANEOUS Apple Watch Original Garmin Instinct
Included Accessories Power adapter, magnetic charging cable Charging/data cable
Preloaded Software Mail, Stopwatch, Calendar, World clock, Messages, Remote Camera, Alarm, Phone, Photos, Maps, Stocks, Weather, Siri, Music, Timer, Passbook, Remote, Settings, Activity, Workout, Apple Pay STR3AMUP!
Compliant Standards IPX7 MIL-STD 810G
SAR Value 0.073 W/kg (head), 0.024 W/kg (limb) -
Max Depth of Water Resistance - 100 m
Max Operating Temperature 35 °C 60 °C
Min Operating Temperature 0 °C -20 °C
Warranty 1-year warranty 1-year warranty
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