Side by side comparison and review of Garmin Instinct 2 Solar and Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS). 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.
GENERAL | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) |
---|
Product Type | Sport watch | Smart watch |
---|---|---|
Operating System | - | WatchOS |
Supported Host Device OS | iOS, Android | iOS 16 or later |
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 | 53 g | - |
Body Details | - | Case only: 32 g |
Body Material | Fibre-reinforced polymer | Aerospace-grade aluminium alloy |
Protection | Waterproof | Water-resistant, dust-resistant, crack-resistant |
Clock Display | Yes | Yes |
FEATURES | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) |
---|
Sensors | Accelerometer, thermometre, barometric altimeter, electromagnetic compass, optical heart sensor | Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass, electrical heart sensor, blood oxygen sensor, gyroscope, temperature sensing, optical heart sensor (3d gen), always-on altimeter |
---|---|---|
Tracking Data | Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, blood oxygen saturation, stress level | Distance, time, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, sleep stages, menstrual cycle, ECG, ovulation phase, rapid eye movement (REM) |
Goal Setting | Yes | Yes |
Features | Music remote handling, find phone function, VIRB control, inactivity alert, Find my Device, LiveTrack, Physio TrueUp, solar charging, weather information, dual grid coordinates format, trackback routing, Body Battery Energy Monitor, accident detection | Call handling, Fall detection, Emergency SOS, Family Setup support, International Emergency Calling, Crash Detection, noise monitoring, Compass Waypoint, brightness: 1000 nits, Edge-to-edge display |
Notifications | Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps, incoming calls | Calendar, SMS, Email, high and low heart rate, irregular rhythm, cardio fitness |
Vibrating Alert | Yes | Yes |
Feedback Type | Vibration alert, visual interface | Audio alert, vibration alert, visual interface |
Navigation (GPS) | GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver | GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou/QZSS receiver |
Payment Technology | Garmin Pay | Apple Pay |
Internet of Things (IoT) Compatible | - | Yes |
IoT Intelligent Assistant | - | Siri |
IoT Voice Controlled | - | Direct |
CONNECTIVITY | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) |
---|
Wireless Interface | Bluetooth, ANT+ | IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0 |
---|
DISPLAY | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) |
---|
Type | Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective | Retina LTPO OLED - colour |
---|---|---|
Resolution | 176 x 176 pixels | 352 x 430 pixels |
Dimensions (WxH) | 23 mm x 23 mm | - |
Screen Protection | Power Glass | Ion-X glass |
Always On Display (AOD) | - | Yes |
INPUT DEVICE | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) |
---|
Type | Push buttons | Touch sensitive screen |
---|
CASE | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) |
---|
Case Size | 45 mm | 41 mm |
---|---|---|
Case Shape | Round | Rectangular |
Case Back | - | Sapphire crystal and ceramic back |
Case Details | Mist grey | Graphite | Midnight aluminium | Starlight aluminium | Red aluminium | Silver aluminium |
Crown Type | - | Digital with haptic feedback |
BAND | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) |
---|
Band Type | Band | Sport band |
---|---|---|
Band Size | - | Regular |
Band Width | 22 mm | - |
Fits Wrist with Circumference | 135-230 mm | 130-200 mm |
Changeable | Yes | Yes |
Clasp Type | Buckle | Pin-and-tuck |
Band Material | Silicone | Fluoroelastomer |
Band Colour | - | Midnight | Starlight | Red | White |
STORAGE | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) |
---|
Storage Capacity | 32 MB | 32 GB |
---|
CPU | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) |
---|
Manufacturer | - | Apple |
---|---|---|
CPU Type | - | S8 SiP |
Features | - | W3 Apple wireless chip, U1 chip |
BATTERY | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) |
---|
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) Max Battery GPS Mode (with solar) - up to 370 hour(s) GPS mode - up to 30 hour(s) GPS mode (with solar) - up to 48 hour(s) Expedition GPS Mode - up to 32 days |
- |
Rechargeable Battery | Yes | Yes |
Wireless Charging | - | Yes |
MISCELLANEOUS | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) |
---|
Included Accessories | Charging/data cable | Magnetic fast charger to USB-C cable (1 m) |
---|---|---|
Preloaded Software | - | Apple Pay, GymKit |
Compliant Standards | - | IP6X |
SAR Value | - | 0.17 W/kg (head), 0.28 W/kg (limb) |
Max Depth of Water Resistance | 100 m | 50 m |
Max Operating Temperature | 60 °C | - |
Min Operating Temperature | -20 °C | - |
Manufacturer Model Number | - | A2770 |
Warranty | - | 1-year warranty |