Garmin Instinct vs. Garmin Instinct Solar

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Detailed comparison and review of Garmin Instinct and Garmin Instinct Solar. 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. Garmin Instinct Solar Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin Instinct Garmin Instinct Solar
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 Running, swimming, ski, cycling, hiking, fishing, climbing, snowboarding, rower, kayaking, hunting, jumpmaster, stand up paddleboarding
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Width 45 mm 45 mm
Height 45 mm 45 mm
Depth 15.3 mm 15.3 mm
Weight 53 g 53 g
Body Material Fibre-reinforced polymer Fibre-reinforced polymer
Protection Waterproof Waterproof
Colours - Pipeline | Tidal blue | Cloudbreak
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin Instinct Garmin Instinct Solar
Sensors Accelerometer, digital compass, thermometre, barometric altimeter, optical heart sensor Accelerometer, barometer, thermometre, altimeter, 3-axis 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
Modes - Stealth mode
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, 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
Notifications Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Navigation (GPS) GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver
CONNECTIVITY Garmin Instinct Garmin Instinct Solar
Wireless Interface Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+ Bluetooth, ANT+
DISPLAY Garmin Instinct Garmin Instinct Solar
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective
Resolution 128 x 128 pixels 128 x 128 pixels
Dimensions (WxH) 23 mm x 23 mm 23 mm x 23 mm
Screen Protection Chemically strengthened glass Power Glass
INPUT DEVICE Garmin Instinct Garmin Instinct Solar
Type Touch buttons Touch buttons
CASE Garmin Instinct Garmin Instinct Solar
Case Shape Round Round
Bezel Fibre-reinforced polymer -
Case Details Black lava | Coyote tan | Sunburst | Lakeside blue | Sea foam | Tundra | Graphite | Flame red Graphite | Black | Moss | Flame red | Sunburst | Lichen camo
BAND Garmin Instinct Garmin Instinct Solar
Band Type Strap Band
Band Width 22 mm 22 mm
Fits Wrist with Circumference 132-224 mm 132-224 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type Buckle Buckle
Band Material Silicone Silicone
Band Colour Lava black | Coyote tan | Sunburst | Lakeside blue | Sea foam Graphite | Black | Moss | Flame red | Sunburst | Lichen camo | Orchid | Graphite camo
BATTERY Garmin Instinct Garmin Instinct Solar
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Battery Life 14 day(s) 56 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 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)
Rechargeable Battery Yes Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin Instinct Garmin Instinct Solar
Included Accessories Charging/data cable Charging/data cable
Preloaded Software STR3AMUP! -
Compliant Standards MIL-STD 810G MIL-STD-810
Max Depth of Water Resistance 100 m 100 m
Max Operating Temperature 60 °C -
Min Operating Temperature -20 °C -
Warranty 1-year warranty -
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