Apple Watch Series 2 vs. Garmin Instinct

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Apple Watch Series 2 and Garmin Instinct. 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 Series 2 vs. Garmin Instinct Comparison Chart
GENERAL Apple Watch Series 2 Garmin Instinct
Product Type Smart watch Sport watch
Operating System WatchOS 3 -
Supported Host Device OS iOS 10 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 11.4 mm 15.3 mm
Weight 28.2 g 53 g
Body Material Aluminium Fibre-reinforced polymer
Protection Waterproof Waterproof
Colours Space black | Silver -
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Apple Watch Series 2 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 Yes
Features Call handling, Retina Display technology Music remote handling, find phone function, VIRB control, inactivity alert, Move IQ, Find my Device, Garmin Elevate, LiveTrack, TrueUp, Body Battery, Physio TrueUp
Notifications Calendar, SMS, Email Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Navigation (GPS) GPS/GLONASS receiver GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver
CONNECTIVITY Apple Watch Series 2 Garmin Instinct
Wireless Interface IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+
DISPLAY Apple Watch Series 2 Garmin Instinct
Type OLED - colour Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective
Resolution 272 x 340 pixels 128 x 128 pixels
Dimensions (WxH) - 23 mm x 23 mm
Screen Protection Ion-X glass Chemically strengthened glass
INPUT DEVICE Apple Watch Series 2 Garmin Instinct
Type Touch sensitive screen (Force Touch) Touch buttons
CASE Apple Watch Series 2 Garmin Instinct
Case Size 38 mm -
Case Shape - Round
Bezel - Fibre-reinforced polymer
Case Back Ceramic back -
Case Details Silver aluminium | Stainless steel | Rose gold aluminium | Gold aluminium | Space grey aluminium | Space black stainless steel Black lava | Coyote tan | Sunburst | Lakeside blue | Sea foam | Tundra | Graphite | Flame red
Crown Type Digital -
BAND Apple Watch Series 2 Garmin Instinct
Band Type Sport band Strap
Band Size S/M/L -
Band Width - 22 mm
Fits Wrist with Circumference 130-200 mm 132-224 mm
Changeable - Yes
Clasp Type Pin-and-tuck Buckle
Band Material Fluoroelastomer Silicone
Band Colour White | Black | Pink sand | Concrete | Silver | Midnight blue | Pearl | Light pink/midnight blue | Yellow/light grey | Saddle brown | Space black Lava black | Coyote tan | Sunburst | Lakeside blue | Sea foam
CPU Apple Watch Series 2 Garmin Instinct
Manufacturer Apple -
CPU Type S2 -
BATTERY Apple Watch Series 2 Garmin Instinct
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Battery Life 18 hours 14 day(s)
Battery Life Details - 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
MISCELLANEOUS Apple Watch Series 2 Garmin Instinct
Included Accessories Power adapter, magnetic charging cable Charging/data cable
Preloaded Software Siri STR3AMUP!
Compliant Standards - MIL-STD 810G
SAR Value 0.056 W/kg (head), 0.049 W/kg (limb) -
Max Depth of Water Resistance 50 m 100 m
Max Operating Temperature - 60 °C
Min Operating Temperature - -20 °C
Warranty - 1-year warranty
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