Garmin vívoactive 3 Music vs. Garmin Instinct Solar

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Garmin vívoactive 3 Music and Garmin Instinct Solar. 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 vívoactive 3 Music vs. Garmin Instinct Solar Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Garmin Instinct Solar
Product Type Smart watch Sport watch
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android iOS, Android
Activity/Sport - Running, swimming, ski, cycling, hiking, fishing, climbing, snowboarding, rower, kayaking, hunting, jumpmaster, stand up paddleboarding
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Width 43.4 mm 45 mm
Height 43.4 mm 45 mm
Depth 11.7 mm 15.3 mm
Weight 43 g 53 g
Body Material - Fibre-reinforced polymer
Protection Waterproof Waterproof
Colours - Pipeline | Tidal blue | Cloudbreak
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Garmin Instinct Solar
Sensors Accelerometer, digital compass, thermometre, altimeter, heart rate, VO2 max 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, blood oxygen saturation, pace, stress level 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, listening to music, call alerts, Bluetooth Smart technology, automatic exercise recognition, VIRB control, Move IQ, Side Swipe interface, Find my Device, Downloadable workouts, store & play music 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 Calendar, SMS, Email Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Feedback Type Vibration alert, visual interface -
Navigation (GPS) - GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver
Payment Technology Garmin Pay -
CONNECTIVITY Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Garmin Instinct Solar
Wireless Interface Bluetooth 4.0, ANT+/ANT Bluetooth, ANT+
DISPLAY Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Garmin Instinct Solar
Type Colour Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective
Resolution 240 x 240 pixels 128 x 128 pixels
Screen Size 1.2" -
Dimensions (WxH) - 23 mm x 23 mm
Aspect Ratio Full circle -
Screen Protection Corning Gorilla Glass 3 (scratch resistant glass) Power Glass
INPUT DEVICE Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Garmin Instinct Solar
Type Touch sensitive screen Touch buttons
CASE Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Garmin Instinct Solar
Case Shape Round Round
Case Details Black Graphite | Black | Moss | Flame red | Sunburst | Lichen camo
BAND Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Garmin Instinct Solar
Band Type Band Band
Band Width 20 mm 22 mm
Fits Wrist with Circumference 127-204 mm 132-224 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type - Buckle
Band Material Silicone Silicone
Band Colour Black | Blue Graphite | Black | Moss | Flame red | Sunburst | Lichen camo | Orchid | Graphite camo
BATTERY Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Garmin Instinct Solar
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Battery Life 7 day(s) 56 day(s)
Battery Life Details Audio playback/GPS - up to 5 hour(s)
Typical usage - up to 7 days
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
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Garmin Instinct Solar
Included Accessories Charging cable Charging/data cable
Preloaded Software Garmin Pay, Garmin Heartbeat, CONNECT IQ -
Compliant Standards - MIL-STD-810
Max Depth of Water Resistance 50 m 100 m
Warranty 1-year warranty -
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