Garmin Instinct Solar vs. Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Side by side comparison and review of Garmin Instinct Solar and Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS). Compare design, displays, functions, batteries and other key specifications and features to simplify the choice of your perfect smartwatch. Our goal is to make it easier for you to decide on the watch that will best meet your expectations by revealing the main differences between the products.

Smartwatch Specifications Comparison

Garmin Instinct Solar vs. Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Product Type Sport watch Smart watch
Operating System - WatchOS
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android iOS 16 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: 32 g
Body Material Fibre-reinforced polymer Aerospace-grade aluminium alloy
Protection Waterproof Water-resistant, dust-resistant, crack-resistant
Colours Pipeline | Tidal blue | Cloudbreak -
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Sensors Accelerometer, barometer, thermometre, altimeter, 3-axis compass, optical heart sensor Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass, electrical heart sensor, blood oxygen sensor, gyroscope, 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)
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, Fall detection, Emergency SOS, Family Setup support, International Emergency Calling, Crash Detection, noise monitoring, Compass Waypoint, brightness: 1000 nits, Edge-to-edge display
Notifications Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps Calendar, SMS, Email, high and low heart rate, irregular rhythm, cardio fitness
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Feedback Type - Audio alert, vibration alert, visual interface
Navigation (GPS) GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou/QZSS receiver
Payment Technology - Apple Pay
Internet of Things (IoT) Compatible - Yes
IoT Intelligent Assistant - Siri
IoT Voice Controlled - Direct
CONNECTIVITY Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Wireless Interface Bluetooth, ANT+ IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0
DISPLAY Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective Retina LTPO OLED - colour
Resolution 128 x 128 pixels 352 x 430 pixels
Dimensions (WxH) 23 mm x 23 mm -
Screen Protection Power Glass Ion-X glass
Always On Display (AOD) - Yes
INPUT DEVICE Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Type Touch buttons Touch sensitive screen
CASE Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Case Size - 41 mm
Case Shape Round Rectangular
Case Back - Sapphire crystal and ceramic back
Case Details Graphite | Black | Moss | Flame red | Sunburst | Lichen camo Midnight aluminium | Starlight aluminium | Red aluminium | Silver aluminium
Crown Type - Digital with haptic feedback
BAND Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
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 Midnight | Starlight | Red | White
STORAGE Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Storage Capacity - 32 GB
CPU Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Manufacturer - Apple
CPU Type - S8 SiP
Features - W3 Apple wireless chip, U1 chip
BATTERY Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
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)
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Rechargeable Battery Yes Yes
Wireless Charging - Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin Instinct Solar Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Included Accessories Charging/data cable Magnetic fast charger to USB-C cable (1 m)
Preloaded Software - Apple Pay, GymKit
Compliant Standards MIL-STD-810 IP6X
SAR Value - 0.17 W/kg (head), 0.28 W/kg (limb)
Max Depth of Water Resistance 100 m 50 m
Manufacturer Model Number - A2770
Warranty - 1-year warranty
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