Garmin Instinct Solar vs. Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Garmin Instinct Solar and Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular). 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 Solar vs. Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Product Type Sport watch Smart watch
Operating System - WatchOS 7
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android iOS 14 or later
Activity/Sport Running, swimming, ski, cycling, hiking, fishing, climbing, snowboarding, rower, kayaking, hunting, jumpmaster, stand up paddleboarding -
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Audio Input - Microphone
Audio Output - Speaker
Width 45 mm -
Height 45 mm -
Depth 15.3 mm -
Weight 53 g -
Body Details - Case only: 30.68 g
Body Material Fibre-reinforced polymer Aerospace-grade aluminium alloy
Protection Waterproof Water-resistant
Colours Pipeline | Tidal blue | Cloudbreak -
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Sensors Accelerometer, barometer, thermometre, altimeter, 3-axis compass, optical heart sensor Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass, gyro sensor, barometric altimeter, optical heart sensor
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
Modes Stealth mode -
Goal Setting Yes Yes
Features 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 Call handling, music remote handling, camera remote control, Retina Display technology, Fall detection, Emergency SOS, irregular beat alerts, Family Setup support
Notifications Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps Calendar, SMS, Email, high and low heart rate
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Feedback Type - Audio alert, vibration alert, visual interface
Navigation (GPS) GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver GPS/GNSS receiver
Payment Technology - Apple Pay
Internet of Things (IoT) Compatible - Yes
IoT Intelligent Assistant - Siri
IoT Voice Controlled - Direct
CELLULAR Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Technology - WCDMA (UMTS)
Mobile Broadband Generation - 4G
SIM Card Type - Electronic SIM card (e-SIM)
CONNECTIVITY Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
3M UMTS Band - Band 1, Band 2, Band 5, Band 8, Band 10
4G LTE Band - Band 1, Band 2, Band 3, Band 4, Band 5, 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, Bluetooth 5.0
DISPLAY Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective LTPO OLED - colour
Resolution 128 x 128 pixels 324 x 394 pixels
Dimensions (WxH) 23 mm x 23 mm -
Screen Protection Power Glass Ion-X glass
INPUT DEVICE Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Type Touch buttons Touch sensitive screen
CASE Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Case Size - 40 mm
Case Shape Round Rectangular
Case Back - Sapphire crystal and ceramic back
Case Details Graphite | Black | Moss | Flame red | Sunburst | Lichen camo Silver aluminium | Gold aluminium | Space grey aluminium
Crown Type - Digital with haptic feedback
BAND Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Band Type Band Sport band
Band Size - Regular
Band Width 22 mm -
Fits Wrist with Circumference 132-224 mm 130-200 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type Buckle Pin-and-tuck
Band Material Silicone Fluoroelastomer
Band Colour Graphite | Black | Moss | Flame red | Sunburst | Lichen camo | Orchid | Graphite camo Abyss blue | Starlight | Midnight | Abyss blue/moss green | Maize/white | Tornado/grey | White | Pink sand | Black | Charcoal | Plum | Deep navy
STORAGE Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Storage Capacity - 32 GB
CPU Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Manufacturer - Apple
CPU Type - S5 SiP
Features - W3 Apple wireless chip
BATTERY Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Battery Life 56 day(s) 18 hours
Battery Life Details 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 Yes
Wireless Charging - Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Included Accessories Charging/data cable S/M band, M/L band, magnetic charger to USB-C cable (1 m)
Preloaded Software - Apple Pay, GymKit
Compliant Standards MIL-STD-810 -
SAR Value - 0.18 W/kg (head), 0.92 W/kg (limb)
Max Depth of Water Resistance 100 m 50 m
Manufacturer Model Number - A2355
Warranty - 1-year warranty
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