Garmin Instinct 2 vs. Google Pixel Watch 2

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Garmin Instinct 2 and Google Pixel Watch 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.

Smartwatch Specifications Comparison

Garmin Instinct 2 vs. Google Pixel Watch 2 Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin Instinct 2 Google Pixel Watch 2
Product Type Sport watch Smart watch
Operating System - Wear OS 4.0 by Google
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android Android 9.0 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 g
Body Material Fibre-reinforced polymer 100% recycled aluminium
Protection Waterproof Water-resistant
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin Instinct 2 Google Pixel Watch 2
Sensors Accelerometer, thermometre, barometric altimeter, electromagnetic compass, optical heart sensor Ambient light sensor, barometer, magnetometer, altimeter, 3-axis accelerometer, blood oxygen sensor, gyroscope, compass, multipurpose electrical sensor, temperature sensor, continuous electrodermal activity (cEDA) sensor
Tracking Data Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, blood oxygen saturation, stress level Calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, mood, skin temperature, blood oxygen saturation, pace, stress level, menstrual cycle, Resting Heart Rate (RHR), heart rate variability, breathing rate, ECG, sleep quality score
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 Call handling, find phone function, auto-activity detection, Find my Device, breathing training function, Fall detection, Emergency SOS, weather information, Active Zone Minutes, heart rate zones, instant message reply, customisable watch faces, Stress Management Score, Daily Readiness Score, brightness: 1000 nits, cardio fitness score
Notifications Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps, incoming calls Calendar, SMS, Email, incoming calls, applications, high and low heart rate, irregular rhythm
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 Google Pay
Internet of Things (IoT) Compatible - Yes
IoT Platform - Google Home
IoT Communications Type - Cloud
IoT Communications Technology - Wi-Fi
IoT Intelligent Assistant - Google Assistant
IoT Voice Controlled - Direct
CELLULAR Garmin Instinct 2 Google Pixel Watch 2
Technology - WCDMA (UMTS)
Mobile Broadband Generation - 4G
SIM Card Type - Electronic SIM card (e-SIM)
CONNECTIVITY Garmin Instinct 2 Google Pixel Watch 2
Wireless Interface Bluetooth, ANT+ IEEE 802.11b/g/n, LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0
DISPLAY Garmin Instinct 2 Google Pixel Watch 2
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective AMOLED - colour
Resolution 176 x 176 pixels -
Dimensions (WxH) 23 mm x 23 mm -
Pixel Density - 320 ppi
Screen Protection Chemically strengthened glass Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (scratch resistant glass)
Always On Display (AOD) - Yes
INPUT DEVICE Garmin Instinct 2 Google Pixel Watch 2
Type Push buttons Touch sensitive screen, side button
CASE Garmin Instinct 2 Google Pixel Watch 2
Case Size 45 mm -
Case Shape Round Round
Case Back - Aluminium
Case Details Graphite | Electric lime Polished silver aluminum
Crown Type - Haptic
BAND Garmin Instinct 2 Google Pixel Watch 2
Band Type Band Active band
Band Size - S/L
Band Width 22 mm -
Fits Wrist with Circumference 135-230 mm 130-210 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type Buckle -
Band Material Silicone Fluoroelastomer
Band Colour - Porcelain | Bay
STORAGE Garmin Instinct 2 Google Pixel Watch 2
Storage Capacity 32 MB 32 GB
RAM Garmin Instinct 2 Google Pixel Watch 2
RAM Size - 2 GB
CPU Garmin Instinct 2 Google Pixel Watch 2
Manufacturer - Qualcomm
CPU Type - 5100
Features - Cortex M33 co-processor
BATTERY Garmin Instinct 2 Google Pixel Watch 2
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Capacity - 294 mAh
Battery Life - 24 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
Always-on display mode - up to 24 hours
Rechargeable Battery Yes Yes
Recharge Time - 75 hour(s)
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin Instinct 2 Google Pixel Watch 2
Included Accessories Charging/data cable 2 wristbands (S+L), USB-C magnetic charging cable
Preloaded Software - Google Maps, YouTube Music, Google Wallet
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) - 0.12 W/kg (head)
0.84 W/kg (limb)
0.203 W/kg (body)
Max Depth of Water Resistance 100 m 50 m
Max Operating Temperature 60 °C -
Min Operating Temperature -20 °C -
Manufacturer Model Number - GC3G8
Warranty - 2-year warranty
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