Garmin Instinct 2 vs. Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Garmin Instinct 2 and Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS). 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 2 vs. Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Product Type Sport watch Smart watch
Operating System - WatchOS 10
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android iOS 17 or later
Activity/Sport Multisport -
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Audio Input - Microphone
Audio Output - Speaker
Width 45 mm -
Height 45 mm -
Depth 14.5 mm -
Weight 52 g -
Body Details - Case only: 31.9 g
Body Material Fibre-reinforced polymer 100% recycled aluminium
Protection Waterproof Water-resistant, dust-resistant, crack-resistant
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Sensors Accelerometer, thermometre, barometric altimeter, electromagnetic compass, optical heart sensor Digital compass, electrical heart sensor, blood oxygen sensor, optical heart sensor (3d gen), always-on altimeter, temperature sensor, high-g accelerometer, gyroscope with high dynamic range
Tracking Data Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, blood oxygen saturation, stress level Distance, time, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, sleep stages, menstrual cycle, ECG, ovulation phase, mental wellbeing
Goal Setting Yes Yes
Features 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 Fall detection, Emergency SOS, brightness: 2000 nits, Family Setup support, International Emergency Calling, Crash Detection, noise monitoring, Compass Waypoint, fast charge, precision finding for iPhone, elevation view
Notifications Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps, incoming calls Calendar, SMS, Email, applications, high and low heart rate, irregular rhythm, cardio fitness
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Feedback Type Vibration alert, visual interface Audio alert, vibration alert, visual interface
Navigation (GPS) GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou/QZSS receiver
Payment Technology Garmin Pay Apple Pay
Internet of Things (IoT) Compatible - Yes
IoT Intelligent Assistant - Siri
IoT Voice Controlled - Direct
CONNECTIVITY Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Wireless Interface Bluetooth, ANT+ IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth 5.3
DISPLAY Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective Retina LTPO OLED - colour
Resolution 176 x 176 pixels 352 x 430 pixels
Dimensions (WxH) 23 mm x 23 mm -
Screen Protection Chemically strengthened glass Ion-X glass
Always On Display (AOD) - Yes
INPUT DEVICE Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Type Push buttons Touch sensitive screen, side button, double tap gesture
CASE Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Case Size 45 mm 41 mm
Case Shape Round Rectangular
Case Back - Sapphire crystal and ceramic back
Case Details Graphite | Electric lime Starlight aluminium | Red aluminium | Midnight aluminium | Pink aluminum | Silver aluminium
Crown Type - Digital with haptic feedback
BAND Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Band Type Band Sport band
Band Size - M/L
Band Width 22 mm -
Fits Wrist with Circumference 135-230 mm 150-200 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type Buckle Pin-and-tuck
Band Material Silicone Fluoroelastomer
Band Colour - Starlight | Red | Midnight | Light pink | Storm blue | Winter blue
STORAGE Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Storage Capacity 32 MB 64 GB
CPU Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Manufacturer - Apple
CPU Type - S9 SiP
Features - W3 Apple wireless chip, second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, 4-core Neural Engine
BATTERY Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Battery Life - 18 hours
Battery Life Details 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
Typical usage - up to 18 hour(s)
Low power mode - up to 36 hour(s)
Rechargeable Battery Yes Yes
Wireless Charging - Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Included Accessories Charging/data cable Magnetic fast charger to USB-C cable (1 m)
Preloaded Software - GymKit
Compliant Standards - IP6X, BFR-free, PVC-free, Beryllium-free, Mercury-free, Arsenic-free
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) - 0.12 W/kg (head)
0.29 W/kg (limb)
Carbon Footprint - 0 kg carbon emissions
Max Depth of Water Resistance 100 m 50 m
Max Operating Temperature 60 °C -
Min Operating Temperature -20 °C -
Manufacturer Model Number - A2978
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