Garmin Instinct vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Garmin Instinct and Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 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. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin Instinct Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
Product Type Sport watch Smart watch
Operating System - Tizen OS
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android iOS 9 or later, Android 5.0 (Lollipop) 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
Width 45 mm 40 mm
Height 45 mm 40 mm
Depth 15.3 mm 10.9 mm
Weight 53 g 26 g
Body Material Fibre-reinforced polymer Aluminium
Protection Waterproof Waterproof
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin Instinct Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
Sensors Accelerometer, digital compass, thermometre, barometric altimeter, optical heart sensor Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, barometer, gyro sensor, optical heart sensor, electrical heart sensor
Tracking Data Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, stress level, menstrual cycle, hydration Distance, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, 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, camera remote control, automatic exercise recognition, Wireless PowerShare support
Notifications Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps SMS, social apps, incoming calls
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Feedback Type - Vibration alert, visual interface, rotating bezel
Navigation (GPS) GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou receiver
CONNECTIVITY Garmin Instinct Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
Wireless Interface Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+ IEEE 802.11b/g/n, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth Profiles - Hands-Free Profile (HFP), Headset Profile (HSP), Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP), Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP)
DISPLAY Garmin Instinct Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective Super AMOLED - colour
Resolution 128 x 128 pixels 360 x 360 pixels
Screen Size - 1.2"
Dimensions (WxH) 23 mm x 23 mm -
Screen Protection Chemically strengthened glass Corning Gorilla Glass DX+ (scratch resistant glass)
Always On Display (AOD) - Yes
INPUT DEVICE Garmin Instinct Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
Type Touch buttons Touch sensitive screen
CASE Garmin Instinct Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
Case Size - 40 mm
Case Shape Round Round
Bezel Fibre-reinforced polymer -
Case Details Black lava | Coyote tan | Sunburst | Lakeside blue | Sea foam | Tundra | Graphite | Flame red Pink gold aluminium | Aqua black aluminium | Cloud silver aluminium
BAND Garmin Instinct Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
Band Type Strap Band
Band Width 22 mm 20 mm
Fits Wrist with Circumference 132-224 mm -
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type Buckle Buckle
Band Material Silicone Fluoroelastomer
Band Colour Lava black | Coyote tan | Sunburst | Lakeside blue | Sea foam Mod grey | Pink gold | Aqua black | Cloud silver
STORAGE Garmin Instinct Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
Storage Capacity - 4 GB
User Memory - 1.4 GB
RAM Garmin Instinct Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
RAM Size - 768 MB
CPU Garmin Instinct Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
Manufacturer - Samsung
CPU Type - Exynos 9110
Clock Speed - 1.15 GHz
BATTERY Garmin Instinct Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
Technology Lithium Ion -
Capacity - 247 mAh
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)
Typical usage - up to 43 hour(s)
Low usage - up to 95 hour(s)
Rechargeable Battery Yes Yes
Wireless Charging - Yes
Wireless Charging Standards - WPC
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin Instinct Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
Included Accessories Charging/data cable Wireless charging dock
Preloaded Software STR3AMUP! Smart Caddi
Compliant Standards MIL-STD 810G MIL-STD 810G, IP68
SAR Value - 0.041 W/kg (head), 0.101 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 - SM-R830
Warranty 1-year warranty 1-year warranty
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