Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) vs. Garmin Instinct 2

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) and Garmin Instinct 2. Compare sizes, functions, displays, batteries and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right smartwatch for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the watch that will best fit your needs.

Smartwatch Specifications Comparison

Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) vs. Garmin Instinct 2 Comparison Chart
GENERAL Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) Garmin Instinct 2
Product Type Smart watch Sport watch
Operating System WatchOS 7 -
Supported Host Device OS iOS 14 or later iOS, Android
Activity/Sport - Multisport
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Audio Input Microphone -
Audio Output Speaker -
Width - 45 mm
Height - 45 mm
Depth - 14.5 mm
Weight - 52 g
Body Details Case only: 30.68 g -
Body Material Aerospace-grade aluminium alloy Fibre-reinforced polymer
Protection Water-resistant Waterproof
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) Garmin Instinct 2
Sensors Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass, gyro sensor, barometric altimeter, optical heart sensor Accelerometer, thermometre, barometric altimeter, electromagnetic compass, optical heart sensor
Tracking Data Distance, time, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, blood oxygen saturation, stress level
Goal Setting Yes Yes
Features Call handling, music remote handling, camera remote control, Retina Display technology, Fall detection, Emergency SOS, irregular beat alerts, Family Setup support Music remote handling, find phone function, VIRB control, inactivity alert, Find my Device, LiveTrack, Physio TrueUp, weather information, dual grid coordinates format, trackback routing, Body Battery Energy Monitor, accident detection
Notifications Calendar, SMS, Email, high and low heart rate Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps, incoming calls
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Feedback Type Audio alert, vibration alert, visual interface Vibration alert, visual interface
Navigation (GPS) GPS/GNSS receiver GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver
Payment Technology Apple Pay Garmin Pay
Internet of Things (IoT) Compatible Yes -
IoT Intelligent Assistant Siri -
IoT Voice Controlled Direct -
CELLULAR Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) Garmin Instinct 2
Technology WCDMA (UMTS) -
Mobile Broadband Generation 4G -
SIM Card Type Electronic SIM card (e-SIM) -
CONNECTIVITY Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) Garmin Instinct 2
3M UMTS Band Band 1, Band 2, Band 5, Band 8, Band 10 -
4G LTE Band Band 1, Band 2, Band 3, Band 4, Band 5, Band 7, Band 8, Band 18, Band 19, Band 20, Band 25, Band 26, Band 28, Band 39, Band 40, Band 41, Band 66 -
Wireless Interface IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth, ANT+
DISPLAY Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) Garmin Instinct 2
Type LTPO OLED - colour Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective
Resolution 324 x 394 pixels 176 x 176 pixels
Dimensions (WxH) - 23 mm x 23 mm
Screen Protection Ion-X glass Chemically strengthened glass
INPUT DEVICE Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) Garmin Instinct 2
Type Touch sensitive screen Push buttons
CASE Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) Garmin Instinct 2
Case Size 40 mm 45 mm
Case Shape Rectangular Round
Case Back Sapphire crystal and ceramic back -
Case Details Silver aluminium | Gold aluminium | Space grey aluminium Graphite | Electric lime
Crown Type Digital with haptic feedback -
BAND Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) Garmin Instinct 2
Band Type Sport band Band
Band Size Regular -
Band Width - 22 mm
Fits Wrist with Circumference 130-200 mm 135-230 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type Pin-and-tuck Buckle
Band Material Fluoroelastomer Silicone
Band Colour Abyss blue | Starlight | Midnight | Abyss blue/moss green | Maize/white | Tornado/grey | White | Pink sand | Black | Charcoal | Plum | Deep navy -
STORAGE Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) Garmin Instinct 2
Storage Capacity 32 GB 32 MB
CPU Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) Garmin Instinct 2
Manufacturer Apple -
CPU Type S5 SiP -
Features W3 Apple wireless chip -
BATTERY Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) Garmin Instinct 2
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Battery Life 18 hours -
Battery Life Details - Smartwatch mode - up to 28 days
Battery Saver Watch Mode - up to 65 days
Max Battery GPS Mode - up to 70 hour(s)
GPS mode - up to 30 hour(s)
Expedition GPS Mode - up to 32 days
Rechargeable Battery Yes Yes
Wireless Charging Yes -
MISCELLANEOUS Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) Garmin Instinct 2
Included Accessories S/M band, M/L band, magnetic charger to USB-C cable (1 m) Charging/data cable
Preloaded Software Apple Pay, GymKit -
SAR Value 0.18 W/kg (head), 0.92 W/kg (limb) -
Max Depth of Water Resistance 50 m 100 m
Max Operating Temperature - 60 °C
Min Operating Temperature - -20 °C
Manufacturer Model Number A2355 -
Warranty 1-year warranty -
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