Garmin Forerunner 45 vs. Garmin Instinct Solar

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Side by side comparison and review of Garmin Forerunner 45 and Garmin Instinct Solar. 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

Garmin Forerunner 45 vs. Garmin Instinct Solar Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin Forerunner 45 Garmin Instinct Solar
Product Type Smart watch Sport watch
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android iOS, Android
Activity/Sport - Running, swimming, ski, cycling, hiking, fishing, climbing, snowboarding, rower, kayaking, hunting, jumpmaster, stand up paddleboarding
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Width 42 mm 45 mm
Height 42 mm 45 mm
Depth 11.4 mm 15.3 mm
Weight 36 g 53 g
Body Material - Fibre-reinforced polymer
Protection Waterproof Waterproof
Colours - Pipeline | Tidal blue | Cloudbreak
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin Forerunner 45 Garmin Instinct Solar
Sensors Accelerometer, heart rate Accelerometer, barometer, thermometre, altimeter, 3-axis compass, optical heart sensor
Tracking Data Distance, time, speed, calories burned, sleep activity, heart rate, stress level Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, blood oxygen saturation, stress level
Modes - Stealth mode
Goal Setting Yes Yes
Features Music remote handling, find phone function, HR zones, Move IQ, Garmin Connect compatible, Find my Device Music remote handling, Heart Rate target zone selector, find phone function, Bluetooth Smart technology, VIRB control, inactivity alert, Move IQ, Find my Device, Garmin Elevate, TrueUp, Body Battery, solar charging, night vision compatibility, dual grid coordinates format, trackback routing
Notifications Calendar, Email, social apps Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Navigation (GPS) - GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver
CONNECTIVITY Garmin Forerunner 45 Garmin Instinct Solar
Wireless Interface Bluetooth, ANT+ Bluetooth, ANT+
DISPLAY Garmin Forerunner 45 Garmin Instinct Solar
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - colour - transflective Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective
Resolution 208 x 208 pixels 128 x 128 pixels
Screen Size 1.04" -
Dimensions (WxH) - 23 mm x 23 mm
Screen Protection - Power Glass
INPUT DEVICE Garmin Forerunner 45 Garmin Instinct Solar
Type - Touch buttons
CASE Garmin Forerunner 45 Garmin Instinct Solar
Case Shape Round Round
Case Details Black Graphite | Black | Moss | Flame red | Sunburst | Lichen camo
BAND Garmin Forerunner 45 Garmin Instinct Solar
Band Type Band Band
Band Size L -
Band Width - 22 mm
Fits Wrist with Circumference 129-197 mm 132-224 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type Buckle Buckle
Band Material Silicone Silicone
Band Colour Black | Lava red Graphite | Black | Moss | Flame red | Sunburst | Lichen camo | Orchid | Graphite camo
BATTERY Garmin Forerunner 45 Garmin Instinct Solar
Technology - Lithium Ion
Battery Life - 56 day(s)
Battery Life Details GPS mode - up to 13 hour(s)
Smartwatch mode - up to 7 days
Smartwatch mode - up to 24 days
Smartwatch mode (with solar) - up to 54 days
Battery Saver Watch Mode - up to 56 days
Max Battery GPS Mode - up to 30 hour(s)
Max Battery GPS Mode (with solar) - up to 38 hour(s)
Rechargeable Battery - Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin Forerunner 45 Garmin Instinct Solar
Included Accessories Charging/data cable Charging/data cable
Compliant Standards - MIL-STD-810
Max Depth of Water Resistance 50 m 100 m
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