Garmin Instinct 2 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Garmin Instinct 2 and Apple Watch Ultra 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 2 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2 Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Ultra 2
Product Type Sport watch Smart watch
Operating System - WatchOS 10
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android iOS 17 or later
Activity/Sport Multisport Multisport, custom workouts
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Audio Input - Three-microphone array
Audio Output - Dual speakers
Width 45 mm -
Height 45 mm -
Depth 14.5 mm -
Weight 52 g -
Body Details - Case only: 61.4 g
Body Material Fibre-reinforced polymer Aerospace-grade titanium
Protection Waterproof Water-resistant, splash-resistant, corrosion resistant, dust-resistant
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Ultra 2
Sensors Accelerometer, thermometre, barometric altimeter, electromagnetic compass, optical heart sensor Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass, depth gauge, electrical heart sensor, ECG sensor, blood oxygen sensor, gyroscope, water temperature sensor, temperature sensing, optical heart sensor (3d gen), always-on altimeter
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, rapid eye movement (REM), depth
Modes - Night mode
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 Call handling, store & play music, Fall detection, Emergency SOS, heart rate zones, Family Setup support, International Emergency Calling, Siren (86-decibel), Crash Detection, noise monitoring, Compass Waypoint, precision finding for iPhone, brightness: 3000 nits, flashlight boost, track detection
Notifications Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps, incoming calls Calendar, SMS, Email, 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
CELLULAR Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Ultra 2
Technology - WCDMA (UMTS)
Mobile Broadband Generation - 4G
SIM Card Type - Electronic SIM card (e-SIM)
CONNECTIVITY Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Ultra 2
3M UMTS Band - Band 1, Band 2, Band 5, Band 10
4G LTE Band - Band 1, Band 2, Band 3, Band 4, Band 5, Band 6, Band 7, Band 8, Band 18, Band 19, Band 20, Band 25, Band 26, Band 28, Band 39, Band 40, Band 41, Band 66
Wireless Interface Bluetooth, ANT+ IEEE 802.11b/g/n, LTE, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth 5.3
DISPLAY Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Ultra 2
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective Retina LTPO OLED - colour
Resolution 176 x 176 pixels 410 x 502 pixels
Dimensions (WxH) 23 mm x 23 mm -
Screen Protection Chemically strengthened glass Flat sapphire front crystal with display edge protection
Always On Display (AOD) - Yes
INPUT DEVICE Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Ultra 2
Type Push buttons Touch sensitive screen, customisable action button, side button, double tap gesture
CASE Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Ultra 2
Case Size 45 mm 49 mm
Case Shape Round Rectangular
Case Details Graphite | Electric lime Titanium
Crown Type - Digital with haptic feedback
BAND Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Ultra 2
Band Type Band Alpine Loop
Band Size - S
Band Width 22 mm -
Fits Wrist with Circumference 135-230 mm 130-160 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type Buckle G-hook
Band Material Silicone Textile
Band Colour - Blue | Indigo | Olive | Orange/beige | Green/gray | Blue/black | Orange | White
STORAGE Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Ultra 2
Storage Capacity 32 MB 64 GB
CPU Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Ultra 2
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 Ultra 2
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Battery Life - 36 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
Normal use - up to 36 hour(s)
Low power mode - up to 18 hour(s)
Power saving mode - up to 72 hour(s)
Rechargeable Battery Yes Yes
Wireless Charging - Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin Instinct 2 Apple Watch Ultra 2
Included Accessories Charging/data cable Magnetic fast charger to USB-C cable (1 m)
Preloaded Software - GymKit, Oceanic+, Depth app
Compliant Standards - IP6X, BFR-free, PVC-free, Beryllium-free, Mercury-free, MIL-STD-810H, EN13319, Arsenic-free
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) - 0.22 W/kg (head)
0.43 W/kg (limb)
Carbon Footprint - 0 kg carbon emissions
Max Depth of Water Resistance 100 m 100 m
Max Operating Temperature 60 °C 55 °C
Min Operating Temperature -20 °C -20 °C
Manufacturer Model Number - A2986
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