Garmin Instinct vs. Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Garmin Instinct and Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular). 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 vs. Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin Instinct Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Product Type Sport watch Smart watch
Operating System - WatchOS 7
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android iOS 14 or later
Activity/Sport Running, swimming, ski, cycling, hiking, eSport, climbing, yoga, workout, snowboarding, cardio training, rower, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, mountain biking -
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: 30.68 g
Body Material Fibre-reinforced polymer Aerospace-grade aluminium alloy
Protection Waterproof Water-resistant
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin Instinct Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Sensors Accelerometer, digital compass, thermometre, barometric altimeter, optical heart sensor Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass, gyro sensor, barometric altimeter, optical heart sensor
Tracking Data Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, stress level, menstrual cycle, hydration Distance, time, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate
Goal Setting Yes Yes
Features Music remote handling, find phone function, VIRB control, inactivity alert, Move IQ, Find my Device, Garmin Elevate, LiveTrack, TrueUp, Body Battery, Physio TrueUp Call handling, music remote handling, camera remote control, Retina Display technology, Fall detection, Emergency SOS, irregular beat alerts, Family Setup support
Notifications Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps Calendar, SMS, Email, high and low heart rate
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Feedback Type - Audio alert, vibration alert, visual interface
Navigation (GPS) GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver GPS/GNSS receiver
Payment Technology - Apple Pay
Internet of Things (IoT) Compatible - Yes
IoT Intelligent Assistant - Siri
IoT Voice Controlled - Direct
CELLULAR Garmin Instinct Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Technology - WCDMA (UMTS)
Mobile Broadband Generation - 4G
SIM Card Type - Electronic SIM card (e-SIM)
CONNECTIVITY Garmin Instinct Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
3M UMTS Band - Band 1, Band 2, Band 5, Band 8, Band 10
4G LTE Band - Band 1, Band 2, Band 3, Band 4, Band 5, Band 7, Band 8, Band 18, Band 19, Band 20, Band 25, Band 26, Band 28, Band 39, Band 40, Band 41, Band 66
Wireless Interface Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+ IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0
DISPLAY Garmin Instinct Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective LTPO OLED - colour
Resolution 128 x 128 pixels 324 x 394 pixels
Dimensions (WxH) 23 mm x 23 mm -
Screen Protection Chemically strengthened glass Ion-X glass
INPUT DEVICE Garmin Instinct Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Type Touch buttons Touch sensitive screen
CASE Garmin Instinct Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Case Size - 40 mm
Case Shape Round Rectangular
Bezel Fibre-reinforced polymer -
Case Back - Sapphire crystal and ceramic back
Case Details Black lava | Coyote tan | Sunburst | Lakeside blue | Sea foam | Tundra | Graphite | Flame red Silver aluminium | Gold aluminium | Space grey aluminium
Crown Type - Digital with haptic feedback
BAND Garmin Instinct Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Band Type Strap Sport band
Band Size - Regular
Band Width 22 mm -
Fits Wrist with Circumference 132-224 mm 130-200 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type Buckle Pin-and-tuck
Band Material Silicone Fluoroelastomer
Band Colour Lava black | Coyote tan | Sunburst | Lakeside blue | Sea foam Abyss blue | Starlight | Midnight | Abyss blue/moss green | Maize/white | Tornado/grey | White | Pink sand | Black | Charcoal | Plum | Deep navy
STORAGE Garmin Instinct Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Storage Capacity - 32 GB
CPU Garmin Instinct Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Manufacturer - Apple
CPU Type - S5 SiP
Features - W3 Apple wireless chip
BATTERY Garmin Instinct Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Battery Life 14 day(s) 18 hours
Battery Life Details Smartwatch mode - up to 14 days
Esports mode - up to 80 hour(s)
GPS mode - up to 16 hour(s)
UltraTrac mode - up to 40 hour(s)
-
Rechargeable Battery Yes Yes
Wireless Charging - Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin Instinct Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Included Accessories Charging/data cable S/M band, M/L band, magnetic charger to USB-C cable (1 m)
Preloaded Software STR3AMUP! Apple Pay, GymKit
Compliant Standards MIL-STD 810G -
SAR Value - 0.18 W/kg (head), 0.92 W/kg (limb)
Max Depth of Water Resistance 100 m 50 m
Max Operating Temperature 60 °C -
Min Operating Temperature -20 °C -
Manufacturer Model Number - A2355
Warranty 1-year warranty 1-year warranty
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