Garmin Instinct Solar vs. Garmin epix Gen 2

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Garmin Instinct Solar and Garmin epix Gen 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 Solar vs. Garmin epix Gen 2 Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin epix Gen 2
Product Type Sport 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 Multisport
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Width 45 mm -
Height 45 mm -
Depth 15.3 mm -
Weight 53 g -
Body Details - With band: 76 g
Case only: 53 g
Body Material Fibre-reinforced polymer Steel, fibre-reinforced polymer
Protection Waterproof Water-resistant
Colours Pipeline | Tidal blue | Cloudbreak -
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin epix Gen 2
Sensors Accelerometer, barometer, thermometre, altimeter, 3-axis compass, optical heart sensor Accelerometer, barometer, altimeter, optical heart sensor, 3-axis electronic compass
Tracking Data Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, blood oxygen saturation, stress level Distance, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, blood oxygen saturation, pace, stress level, respiratory rate, active time, water balance
Modes Stealth mode -
Goal Setting Yes Yes
Features 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 Music remote handling, find phone function, VIRB control, inactivity alert, Move IQ, Find my Device, Downloadable workouts, store & play music, rejecting a call, LiveTrack, Physio TrueUp, PacePro pace guidance, animated workouts, weather information, dual grid coordinates format, Body Battery Energy Monitor
Notifications Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps Calendar, SMS, Email, incoming calls, high and low heart rate
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Feedback Type - Audio alert, vibration alert, visual interface
Navigation (GPS) GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver
Payment Technology - Garmin Pay
CONNECTIVITY Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin epix Gen 2
Wireless Interface Bluetooth, ANT+ Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+
DISPLAY Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin epix Gen 2
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective AMOLED - colour
Resolution 128 x 128 pixels 416 x 416 pixels
Screen Size - 1.3"
Dimensions (WxH) 23 mm x 23 mm -
Screen Protection Power Glass Corning Gorilla Glass DX (scratch resistant glass)
Always On Display (AOD) - Yes
INPUT DEVICE Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin epix Gen 2
Type Touch buttons Touch sensitive screen, push buttons
CASE Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin epix Gen 2
Case Shape Round Round
Bezel - Passivated stainless steel
Case Back - Steel
Case Details Graphite | Black | Moss | Flame red | Sunburst | Lichen camo Slate steel
BAND Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin epix Gen 2
Band Type Band Band
Band Width 22 mm 22 mm
Fits Wrist with Circumference 132-224 mm 125-208 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type Buckle Buckle
Band Material Silicone Silicone
Band Colour Graphite | Black | Moss | Flame red | Sunburst | Lichen camo | Orchid | Graphite camo -
STORAGE Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin epix Gen 2
Storage Capacity - 16 GB
BATTERY Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin epix Gen 2
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Battery Life 56 day(s) -
Battery Life Details 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)
Smartwatch mode - up to 16 days
Battery Saver Watch Mode - up to 21 days
GPS mode - up to 42 hour(s)
All satellite systems mode - up to 32 hours
All satellite systems with music mode - up to 10 hour(s)
Max Battery GPS Mode - up to 75 hour(s)
Expedition GPS Mode - up to 14 days
Rechargeable Battery Yes Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin epix Gen 2
Included Accessories Charging/data cable Charging/data cable
Compliant Standards MIL-STD-810 -
SAR Value - 0.32 W/kg (body), 0.28 W/kg (limb)
Max Depth of Water Resistance 100 m 100 m
Max Operating Temperature - 45 °C
Min Operating Temperature - -20 °C
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