Garmin Instinct vs. Garmin Instinct 2

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Garmin Instinct 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 vs. Garmin Instinct 2 Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin Instinct Garmin Instinct 2
Product Type Sport watch Sport watch
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android iOS, Android
Activity/Sport Running, swimming, ski, cycling, hiking, eSport, climbing, yoga, workout, snowboarding, cardio training, rower, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, mountain biking 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
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin Instinct Garmin Instinct 2
Sensors Accelerometer, digital compass, thermometre, barometric altimeter, 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, stress level, menstrual cycle, hydration Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, blood oxygen saturation, stress level
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 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 Garmin Instinct 2
Wireless Interface Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+ Bluetooth, ANT+
DISPLAY Garmin Instinct 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 Chemically strengthened glass Chemically strengthened glass
INPUT DEVICE Garmin Instinct Garmin Instinct 2
Type Touch buttons Push buttons
CASE Garmin Instinct Garmin Instinct 2
Case Size - 45 mm
Case Shape Round Round
Bezel Fibre-reinforced polymer -
Case Details Black lava | Coyote tan | Sunburst | Lakeside blue | Sea foam | Tundra | Graphite | Flame red Graphite | Electric lime
BAND Garmin Instinct Garmin Instinct 2
Band Type Strap 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 Lava black | Coyote tan | Sunburst | Lakeside blue | Sea foam -
STORAGE Garmin Instinct Garmin Instinct 2
Storage Capacity - 32 MB
BATTERY Garmin Instinct Garmin Instinct 2
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Battery Life 14 day(s) -
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)
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 Garmin Instinct 2
Included Accessories Charging/data cable Charging/data cable
Preloaded Software STR3AMUP! -
Compliant Standards MIL-STD 810G -
Max Depth of Water Resistance 100 m 100 m
Max Operating Temperature 60 °C 60 °C
Min Operating Temperature -20 °C -20 °C
Warranty 1-year warranty -
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