In depth comparison and review of Garmin Instinct 2 and Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS). 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 | Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) |
|---|
| Product Type | Sport watch | Smart watch |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | - | WatchOS 10 |
| Supported Host Device OS | iOS, Android | iOS 17 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 | 52 g | - |
| Body Details | - | Case only: 31.9 g |
| Body Material | Fibre-reinforced polymer | 100% recycled aluminium |
| Protection | Waterproof | Water-resistant, dust-resistant, crack-resistant |
| Clock Display | Yes | Yes |
| FEATURES | Garmin Instinct 2 | Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, thermometre, barometric altimeter, electromagnetic compass, optical heart sensor | Digital compass, electrical heart sensor, blood oxygen sensor, optical heart sensor (3d gen), always-on altimeter, temperature sensor, high-g accelerometer, gyroscope with high dynamic range |
|---|---|---|
| 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, mental wellbeing |
| Goal Setting | Yes | Yes |
| Features | 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 | Fall detection, Emergency SOS, brightness: 2000 nits, Family Setup support, International Emergency Calling, Crash Detection, noise monitoring, Compass Waypoint, fast charge, precision finding for iPhone, elevation view |
| Notifications | Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps, incoming calls | Calendar, SMS, Email, applications, 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 | Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) |
|---|
| Wireless Interface | Bluetooth, ANT+ | IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth 5.3 |
|---|
| DISPLAY | Garmin Instinct 2 | Apple Watch Series 9 (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 | Chemically strengthened glass | Ion-X glass |
| Always On Display (AOD) | - | Yes |
| INPUT DEVICE | Garmin Instinct 2 | Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) |
|---|
| Type | Push buttons | Touch sensitive screen, side button, double tap gesture |
|---|
| CASE | Garmin Instinct 2 | Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) |
|---|
| Case Size | 45 mm | 41 mm |
|---|---|---|
| Case Shape | Round | Rectangular |
| Case Back | - | Sapphire crystal and ceramic back |
| Case Details | Graphite | Electric lime | Starlight aluminium | Red aluminium | Midnight aluminium | Pink aluminum | Silver aluminium |
| Crown Type | - | Digital with haptic feedback |
| BAND | Garmin Instinct 2 | Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) |
|---|
| Band Type | Band | Sport band |
|---|---|---|
| Band Size | - | M/L |
| Band Width | 22 mm | - |
| Fits Wrist with Circumference | 135-230 mm | 150-200 mm |
| Changeable | Yes | Yes |
| Clasp Type | Buckle | Pin-and-tuck |
| Band Material | Silicone | Fluoroelastomer |
| Band Colour | - | Starlight | Red | Midnight | Light pink | Storm blue | Winter blue |
| STORAGE | Garmin Instinct 2 | Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) |
|---|
| Storage Capacity | 32 MB | 64 GB |
|---|
| CPU | Garmin Instinct 2 | Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) |
|---|
| Manufacturer | - | Apple |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Type | - | S9 SiP |
| Features | - | W3 Apple wireless chip, second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, 4-core Neural Engine |
| BATTERY | Garmin Instinct 2 | Apple Watch Series 9 (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) GPS mode - up to 30 hour(s) Expedition GPS Mode - up to 32 days |
Typical usage - up to 18 hour(s) Low power mode - up to 36 hour(s) |
| Rechargeable Battery | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | - | Yes |
| MISCELLANEOUS | Garmin Instinct 2 | Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) |
|---|
| Included Accessories | Charging/data cable | Magnetic fast charger to USB-C cable (1 m) |
|---|---|---|
| Preloaded Software | - | GymKit |
| Compliant Standards | - | IP6X, BFR-free, PVC-free, Beryllium-free, Mercury-free, Arsenic-free |
| Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) | - | 0.12 W/kg (head) 0.29 W/kg (limb) |
| Carbon Footprint | - | 0 kg carbon emissions |
| Max Depth of Water Resistance | 100 m | 50 m |
| Max Operating Temperature | 60 °C | - |
| Min Operating Temperature | -20 °C | - |
| Manufacturer Model Number | - | A2978 |
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