Garmin vívoactive 3 vs. Garmin Instinct 2

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Garmin vívoactive 3 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 vívoactive 3 vs. Garmin Instinct 2 Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin Instinct 2
Product Type Smart watch Sport watch
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android iOS, Android
Activity/Sport Multisport Multisport
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Width 43.4 mm 45 mm
Height 43.4 mm 45 mm
Depth 11.7 mm 14.5 mm
Weight 43 g 52 g
Body Material - Fibre-reinforced polymer
Protection Waterproof Waterproof
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin Instinct 2
Sensors Accelerometer, digital compass, thermometre, altimeter, heart rate, VO2 max 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, 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
Goal Setting Yes Yes
Features Music remote handling, find phone function, call alerts, Bluetooth Smart technology, automatic exercise recognition, VIRB control, Move IQ, Side Swipe interface, Find my Device, Downloadable workouts 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 Calendar, SMS, Email Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps, incoming calls
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Feedback Type Vibration alert, visual interface Vibration alert, visual interface
Navigation (GPS) - GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver
Payment Technology Garmin Pay Garmin Pay
CONNECTIVITY Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin Instinct 2
Wireless Interface Bluetooth 4.0, ANT+/ANT Bluetooth, ANT+
DISPLAY Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin Instinct 2
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - colour - transflective Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective
Resolution 240 x 240 pixels 176 x 176 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) Chemically strengthened glass
INPUT DEVICE Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin Instinct 2
Type Touch sensitive screen Push buttons
CASE Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin Instinct 2
Case Size - 45 mm
Case Shape Round Round
Bezel Stainless steel -
Case Back Glass fibre reinforced polymer -
Case Details Stainless steel | Rose gold | Gunmetal Graphite | Electric lime
BAND Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin Instinct 2
Band Type Band Band
Band Width 20 mm 22 mm
Fits Wrist with Circumference 127-204 mm 135-230 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type Buckle Buckle
Band Material Silicone Silicone
Band Colour Black | White -
STORAGE Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin Instinct 2
Storage Capacity - 32 MB
BATTERY Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin Instinct 2
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Battery Life 8 day(s) -
Battery Life Details Navigation tracking - up to 13 hour(s)
Typical usage - up to 8 days
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
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin Instinct 2
Included Accessories Charging cable Charging/data cable
Preloaded Software Garmin Pay, Garmin Heartbeat, CONNECT IQ -
Max Depth of Water Resistance 50 m 100 m
Max Operating Temperature - 60 °C
Min Operating Temperature - -20 °C
Warranty 1-year warranty -
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