Garmin Instinct Solar vs. Garmin Forerunner 745

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Garmin Instinct Solar and Garmin Forerunner 745. 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 Forerunner 745 Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin Forerunner 745
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 -
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Width 45 mm 43.8 mm
Height 45 mm 43.8 mm
Depth 15.3 mm 13.3 mm
Weight 53 g 47 g
Body Material Fibre-reinforced polymer Fibre-reinforced polymer
Protection Waterproof Water-resistant
Colours Pipeline | Tidal blue | Cloudbreak -
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin Forerunner 745
Sensors Accelerometer, barometer, thermometre, altimeter, 3-axis compass, optical heart sensor Accelerometer, digital compass, thermometre, gyro sensor, heart rate, barometric altimeter, Pulse Ox sensor
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, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, blood oxygen saturation, stress level, menstrual cycle, temperature, hydration, recovery time, training load
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 Find phone function, VO2 max, HR zones, VIRB control, Move IQ, Garmin Connect compatible, Find my Device, store & play music, rejecting a call, Garmin Elevate, LiveTrack, TrueUp, Body Battery, auto lap, Physio TrueUp, music playback control, weather information
Notifications Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps Calendar, SMS, Email, social apps, incoming calls
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Feedback Type - Vibration alert, visual interface
Navigation (GPS) GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver
Payment Technology - Garmin Pay
CONNECTIVITY Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin Forerunner 745
Wireless Interface Bluetooth, ANT+ Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, ANT+
DISPLAY Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin Forerunner 745
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective Memory-in-Pixel LCD - colour - transflective
Resolution 128 x 128 pixels 240 x 240 pixels
Screen Size - 1.2"
Dimensions (WxH) 23 mm x 23 mm -
Screen Protection Power Glass Corning Gorilla Glass DX (scratch resistant glass)
INPUT DEVICE Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin Forerunner 745
Type Touch buttons Touch sensitive screen
CASE Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin Forerunner 745
Case Shape Round Round
Bezel - Fibre-reinforced polymer
Case Details Graphite | Black | Moss | Flame red | Sunburst | Lichen camo Black | Neo tropic
BAND Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin Forerunner 745
Band Type Band Band
Band Width 22 mm 22 mm
Fits Wrist with Circumference 132-224 mm 126-216 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 Black
BATTERY Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin Forerunner 745
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Battery Life 56 day(s) 7 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 7 days
GPS mode - up to 16 hour(s)
GPS with Music mode - up to 6 hour(s)
UltraTrac mode - up to 21 hour(s)
Rechargeable Battery Yes -
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin Forerunner 745
Included Accessories Charging/data cable USB cable
Preloaded Software - Garmin Pay, Garmion Connect IQ
Compliant Standards MIL-STD-810 -
Max Depth of Water Resistance 100 m 50 m
Max Operating Temperature - 60 °C
Min Operating Temperature - -20 °C
Warranty - 1-year warranty
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