Garmin Instinct Solar vs. Garmin Instinct 2

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Garmin Instinct Solar and Garmin Instinct 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 Instinct 2 Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin Instinct 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 45 mm
Height 45 mm 45 mm
Depth 15.3 mm 14.5 mm
Weight 53 g 52 g
Body Material Fibre-reinforced polymer Fibre-reinforced polymer
Protection Waterproof Waterproof
Colours Pipeline | Tidal blue | Cloudbreak -
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin Instinct 2
Sensors Accelerometer, barometer, thermometre, altimeter, 3-axis compass, optical heart sensor Accelerometer, thermometre, barometric altimeter, electromagnetic compass, optical heart sensor
Tracking Data Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, blood oxygen saturation, stress level Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, blood oxygen saturation, stress level
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, Find my Device, LiveTrack, Physio TrueUp, weather information, dual grid coordinates format, trackback routing, Body Battery Energy Monitor, accident detection
Notifications Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps Missed calls, 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 Instinct 2
Wireless Interface Bluetooth, ANT+ Bluetooth, ANT+
DISPLAY Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin Instinct 2
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective
Resolution 128 x 128 pixels 176 x 176 pixels
Dimensions (WxH) 23 mm x 23 mm 23 mm x 23 mm
Screen Protection Power Glass Chemically strengthened glass
INPUT DEVICE Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin Instinct 2
Type Touch buttons Push buttons
CASE Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin Instinct 2
Case Size - 45 mm
Case Shape Round Round
Case Details Graphite | Black | Moss | Flame red | Sunburst | Lichen camo Graphite | Electric lime
BAND Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin Instinct 2
Band Type Band Band
Band Width 22 mm 22 mm
Fits Wrist with Circumference 132-224 mm 135-230 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 Instinct 2
Storage Capacity - 32 MB
BATTERY Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin Instinct 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 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
Rechargeable Battery Yes Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin Instinct Solar Garmin Instinct 2
Included Accessories Charging/data cable Charging/data cable
Compliant Standards MIL-STD-810 -
Max Depth of Water Resistance 100 m 100 m
Max Operating Temperature - 60 °C
Min Operating Temperature - -20 °C
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