Garmin Instinct vs. Google Pixel Watch 2

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Garmin Instinct 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.

Smartwatch Specifications Comparison

Garmin Instinct vs. Google Pixel Watch 2 Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin Instinct Google Pixel Watch 2
Product Type Sport watch Smart watch
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, 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: 31 g
Body Material Fibre-reinforced polymer 100% recycled aluminium
Protection Waterproof Water-resistant
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin Instinct Google Pixel Watch 2
Sensors Accelerometer, digital compass, thermometre, barometric altimeter, 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
Tracking Data Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, stress level, menstrual cycle, hydration 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
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, 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 Google Pixel Watch 2
Technology - WCDMA (UMTS)
Mobile Broadband Generation - 4G
SIM Card Type - Electronic SIM card (e-SIM)
CONNECTIVITY Garmin Instinct Google Pixel Watch 2
Wireless Interface Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+ IEEE 802.11b/g/n, LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0
DISPLAY Garmin Instinct Google Pixel Watch 2
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective AMOLED - colour
Resolution 128 x 128 pixels -
Dimensions (WxH) 23 mm x 23 mm -
Pixel Density - 320 ppi
Screen Protection Chemically strengthened glass Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (scratch resistant glass)
Always On Display (AOD) - Yes
INPUT DEVICE Garmin Instinct Google Pixel Watch 2
Type Touch buttons Touch sensitive screen, side button
CASE Garmin Instinct Google Pixel Watch 2
Case Shape Round Round
Bezel Fibre-reinforced polymer -
Case Back - Aluminium
Case Details Black lava | Coyote tan | Sunburst | Lakeside blue | Sea foam | Tundra | Graphite | Flame red Polished silver aluminum
Crown Type - Haptic
BAND Garmin Instinct Google Pixel Watch 2
Band Type Strap Active band
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 Lava black | Coyote tan | Sunburst | Lakeside blue | Sea foam Porcelain | Bay
STORAGE Garmin Instinct Google Pixel Watch 2
Storage Capacity - 32 GB
RAM Garmin Instinct Google Pixel Watch 2
RAM Size - 2 GB
CPU Garmin Instinct Google Pixel Watch 2
Manufacturer - Qualcomm
CPU Type - 5100
Features - Cortex M33 co-processor
BATTERY Garmin Instinct Google Pixel Watch 2
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Capacity - 294 mAh
Battery Life 14 day(s) 24 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)
Always-on display mode - up to 24 hours
Rechargeable Battery Yes Yes
Recharge Time - 75 hour(s)
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin Instinct Google Pixel Watch 2
Included Accessories Charging/data cable 2 wristbands (S+L), USB-C magnetic charging cable
Preloaded Software STR3AMUP! Google Maps, YouTube Music, Google Wallet
Compliant Standards MIL-STD 810G -
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
Max Operating Temperature 60 °C -
Min Operating Temperature -20 °C -
Manufacturer Model Number - GC3G8
Warranty 1-year warranty 2-year warranty
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