In depth comparison and review of Garmin Instinct Solar 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.
GENERAL | Garmin Instinct Solar | Google Pixel Watch 2 |
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Product Type | Sport watch | Smart watch |
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Operating System | - | Wear OS 4.0 by Google |
Supported Host Device OS | iOS, Android | Android 9.0 or later |
Activity/Sport | Running, swimming, ski, cycling, hiking, fishing, climbing, snowboarding, rower, kayaking, hunting, jumpmaster, stand up paddleboarding | - |
Wearing Style | Watch style | Watch style |
Audio Input | - | Microphone |
Audio Output | - | Speaker |
Width | 45 mm | - |
Height | 45 mm | - |
Depth | 15.3 mm | - |
Weight | 53 g | - |
Body Details | - | Case only: 31 g |
Body Material | Fibre-reinforced polymer | 100% recycled aluminium |
Protection | Waterproof | Water-resistant |
Colours | Pipeline | Tidal blue | Cloudbreak | - |
Clock Display | Yes | Yes |
FEATURES | Garmin Instinct Solar | Google Pixel Watch 2 |
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Sensors | Accelerometer, barometer, thermometre, altimeter, 3-axis 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 |
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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 |
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 | 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 | Calendar, SMS, Email, incoming calls, applications, high and low heart rate, irregular rhythm |
Vibrating Alert | Yes | Yes |
Feedback Type | - | Audio alert, vibration alert, visual interface |
Navigation (GPS) | GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver | GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou/QZSS receiver |
Payment Technology | - | 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 Solar | Google Pixel Watch 2 |
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Technology | - | WCDMA (UMTS) |
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Mobile Broadband Generation | - | 4G |
SIM Card Type | - | Electronic SIM card (e-SIM) |
CONNECTIVITY | Garmin Instinct Solar | Google Pixel Watch 2 |
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Wireless Interface | Bluetooth, ANT+ | IEEE 802.11b/g/n, LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0 |
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DISPLAY | Garmin Instinct Solar | Google Pixel Watch 2 |
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Type | Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective | AMOLED - colour |
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Resolution | 128 x 128 pixels | - |
Dimensions (WxH) | 23 mm x 23 mm | - |
Pixel Density | - | 320 ppi |
Screen Protection | Power Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (scratch resistant glass) |
Always On Display (AOD) | - | Yes |
INPUT DEVICE | Garmin Instinct Solar | Google Pixel Watch 2 |
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Type | Touch buttons | Touch sensitive screen, side button |
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CASE | Garmin Instinct Solar | Google Pixel Watch 2 |
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Case Shape | Round | Round |
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Case Back | - | Aluminium |
Case Details | Graphite | Black | Moss | Flame red | Sunburst | Lichen camo | Polished silver aluminum |
Crown Type | - | Haptic |
BAND | Garmin Instinct Solar | Google Pixel Watch 2 |
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Band Type | Band | Active band |
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Band Size | - | S/L |
Band Width | 22 mm | - |
Fits Wrist with Circumference | 132-224 mm | 130-210 mm |
Changeable | Yes | Yes |
Clasp Type | Buckle | - |
Band Material | Silicone | Fluoroelastomer |
Band Colour | Graphite | Black | Moss | Flame red | Sunburst | Lichen camo | Orchid | Graphite camo | Porcelain | Bay |
STORAGE | Garmin Instinct Solar | Google Pixel Watch 2 |
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Storage Capacity | - | 32 GB |
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RAM | Garmin Instinct Solar | Google Pixel Watch 2 |
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RAM Size | - | 2 GB |
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CPU | Garmin Instinct Solar | Google Pixel Watch 2 |
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Manufacturer | - | Qualcomm |
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CPU Type | - | 5100 |
Features | - | Cortex M33 co-processor |
BATTERY | Garmin Instinct Solar | Google Pixel Watch 2 |
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Technology | Lithium Ion | Lithium Ion |
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Capacity | - | 294 mAh |
Battery Life | 56 day(s) | 24 hours |
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) |
Always-on display mode - up to 24 hours |
Rechargeable Battery | Yes | Yes |
Recharge Time | - | 75 hour(s) |
MISCELLANEOUS | Garmin Instinct Solar | Google Pixel Watch 2 |
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Included Accessories | Charging/data cable | 2 wristbands (S+L), USB-C magnetic charging cable |
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Preloaded Software | - | Google Maps, YouTube Music, Google Wallet |
Compliant Standards | MIL-STD-810 | - |
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 |
Manufacturer Model Number | - | GC3G8 |
Warranty | - | 2-year warranty |