In depth comparison and review of Garmin Instinct 2 Solar and Apple Watch Ultra 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.
GENERAL | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
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Product Type | Sport watch | Smart watch |
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Operating System | - | WatchOS 10 |
Supported Host Device OS | iOS, Android | iOS 17 or later |
Activity/Sport | Multisport | Multisport, custom workouts |
Wearing Style | Watch style | Watch style |
Audio Input | - | Three-microphone array |
Audio Output | - | Dual speakers |
Width | 45 mm | - |
Height | 45 mm | - |
Depth | 14.5 mm | - |
Weight | 53 g | - |
Body Details | - | Case only: 61.4 g |
Body Material | Fibre-reinforced polymer | Aerospace-grade titanium |
Protection | Waterproof | Water-resistant, splash-resistant, corrosion resistant, dust-resistant |
Clock Display | Yes | Yes |
FEATURES | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
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Sensors | Accelerometer, thermometre, barometric altimeter, electromagnetic compass, optical heart sensor | Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass, depth gauge, electrical heart sensor, ECG sensor, blood oxygen sensor, gyroscope, water temperature sensor, temperature sensing, optical heart sensor (3d gen), always-on altimeter |
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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), depth |
Modes | - | Night mode |
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, store & play music, Fall detection, Emergency SOS, heart rate zones, Family Setup support, International Emergency Calling, Siren (86-decibel), Crash Detection, noise monitoring, Compass Waypoint, precision finding for iPhone, brightness: 3000 nits, flashlight boost, track detection |
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 |
CELLULAR | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
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Technology | - | WCDMA (UMTS) |
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Mobile Broadband Generation | - | 4G |
SIM Card Type | - | Electronic SIM card (e-SIM) |
CONNECTIVITY | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
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3M UMTS Band | - | Band 1, Band 2, Band 5, Band 10 |
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4G LTE Band | - | Band 1, Band 2, Band 3, Band 4, Band 5, Band 6, 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 | Bluetooth, ANT+ | IEEE 802.11b/g/n, LTE, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth 5.3 |
DISPLAY | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
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Type | Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective | Retina LTPO OLED - colour |
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Resolution | 176 x 176 pixels | 410 x 502 pixels |
Dimensions (WxH) | 23 mm x 23 mm | - |
Screen Protection | Power Glass | Flat sapphire front crystal with display edge protection |
Always On Display (AOD) | - | Yes |
INPUT DEVICE | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
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Type | Push buttons | Touch sensitive screen, customisable action button, side button, double tap gesture |
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CASE | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
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Case Size | 45 mm | 49 mm |
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Case Shape | Round | Rectangular |
Case Details | Mist grey | Graphite | Titanium |
Crown Type | - | Digital with haptic feedback |
BAND | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
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Band Type | Band | Alpine Loop |
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Band Size | - | S |
Band Width | 22 mm | - |
Fits Wrist with Circumference | 135-230 mm | 130-160 mm |
Changeable | Yes | Yes |
Clasp Type | Buckle | G-hook |
Band Material | Silicone | Textile |
Band Colour | - | Blue | Indigo | Olive | Orange/beige | Green/gray | Blue/black | Orange | White |
STORAGE | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
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Storage Capacity | 32 MB | 64 GB |
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CPU | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
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Manufacturer | - | Apple |
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CPU Type | - | S9 SiP |
Features | - | W3 Apple wireless chip, second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, 4-core Neural Engine |
BATTERY | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
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Technology | Lithium Ion | Lithium Ion |
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Battery Life | - | 36 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 |
Normal use - up to 36 hour(s) Low power mode - up to 18 hour(s) Power saving mode - up to 72 hour(s) |
Rechargeable Battery | Yes | Yes |
Wireless Charging | - | Yes |
MISCELLANEOUS | Garmin Instinct 2 Solar | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
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Included Accessories | Charging/data cable | Magnetic fast charger to USB-C cable (1 m) |
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Preloaded Software | - | GymKit, Oceanic+, Depth app |
Compliant Standards | - | IP6X, BFR-free, PVC-free, Beryllium-free, Mercury-free, MIL-STD-810H, EN13319, Arsenic-free |
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) | - | 0.22 W/kg (head) 0.43 W/kg (limb) |
Carbon Footprint | - | 0 kg carbon emissions |
Max Depth of Water Resistance | 100 m | 100 m |
Max Operating Temperature | 60 °C | 55 °C |
Min Operating Temperature | -20 °C | -20 °C |
Manufacturer Model Number | - | A2986 |