Garmin Instinct vs. Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Detailed comparison and review of Garmin Instinct and Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS). With our comprehensive overview, you can simply compare size, design, functions, battery capacities, but also other key features of both smartwatches and easily decide which one is the right choice for you. Our goal is to help you identify the main differences between products and find the watch that best fits your needs and expectations.

Smartwatch Specifications Comparison

Garmin Instinct vs. Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin Instinct Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Product Type Sport watch Smart watch
Operating System - WatchOS
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android iOS 16 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: 32 g
Body Material Fibre-reinforced polymer Aerospace-grade aluminium alloy
Protection Waterproof Water-resistant, dust-resistant, crack-resistant
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin Instinct Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Sensors Accelerometer, digital compass, thermometre, barometric altimeter, optical heart sensor Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass, electrical heart sensor, blood oxygen sensor, gyroscope, temperature sensing, optical heart sensor (3d gen), always-on altimeter
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, blood oxygen saturation, sleep stages, menstrual cycle, ECG, ovulation phase, rapid eye movement (REM)
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, Fall detection, Emergency SOS, Family Setup support, International Emergency Calling, Crash Detection, noise monitoring, Compass Waypoint, brightness: 1000 nits, Edge-to-edge display
Notifications Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps Calendar, SMS, Email, high and low heart rate, irregular rhythm, cardio fitness
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 - Apple Pay
Internet of Things (IoT) Compatible - Yes
IoT Intelligent Assistant - Siri
IoT Voice Controlled - Direct
CONNECTIVITY Garmin Instinct Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Wireless Interface Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+ IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0
DISPLAY Garmin Instinct Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective Retina LTPO OLED - colour
Resolution 128 x 128 pixels 352 x 430 pixels
Dimensions (WxH) 23 mm x 23 mm -
Screen Protection Chemically strengthened glass Ion-X glass
Always On Display (AOD) - Yes
INPUT DEVICE Garmin Instinct Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Type Touch buttons Touch sensitive screen
CASE Garmin Instinct Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Case Size - 41 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 Midnight aluminium | Starlight aluminium | Red aluminium | Silver aluminium
Crown Type - Digital with haptic feedback
BAND Garmin Instinct Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
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 Midnight | Starlight | Red | White
STORAGE Garmin Instinct Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Storage Capacity - 32 GB
CPU Garmin Instinct Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Manufacturer - Apple
CPU Type - S8 SiP
Features - W3 Apple wireless chip, U1 chip
BATTERY Garmin Instinct Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
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 Series 8 (GPS)
Included Accessories Charging/data cable Magnetic fast charger to USB-C cable (1 m)
Preloaded Software STR3AMUP! Apple Pay, GymKit
Compliant Standards MIL-STD 810G IP6X
SAR Value - 0.17 W/kg (head), 0.28 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 - A2770
Warranty 1-year warranty 1-year warranty
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