Garmin vívoactive 3 Music vs. Garmin Instinct

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Garmin vívoactive 3 Music and Garmin Instinct. 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 Music vs. Garmin Instinct Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Garmin Instinct
Product Type Smart watch Sport watch
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android iOS, Android
Activity/Sport - Running, swimming, ski, cycling, hiking, eSport, climbing, yoga, workout, snowboarding, cardio training, rower, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, mountain biking
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Width 43.4 mm 45 mm
Height 43.4 mm 45 mm
Depth 11.7 mm 15.3 mm
Weight 43 g 53 g
Body Material - Fibre-reinforced polymer
Protection Waterproof Waterproof
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Garmin Instinct
Sensors Accelerometer, digital compass, thermometre, altimeter, heart rate, VO2 max Accelerometer, digital compass, thermometre, barometric altimeter, 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, stress level, menstrual cycle, hydration
Goal Setting Yes Yes
Features Music remote handling, find phone function, listening to music, call alerts, Bluetooth Smart technology, automatic exercise recognition, VIRB control, Move IQ, Side Swipe interface, Find my Device, Downloadable workouts, store & play music Music remote handling, find phone function, VIRB control, inactivity alert, Move IQ, Find my Device, Garmin Elevate, LiveTrack, TrueUp, Body Battery, Physio TrueUp
Notifications Calendar, SMS, Email Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Feedback Type Vibration alert, visual interface -
Navigation (GPS) - GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver
Payment Technology Garmin Pay -
CONNECTIVITY Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Garmin Instinct
Wireless Interface Bluetooth 4.0, ANT+/ANT Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+
DISPLAY Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Garmin Instinct
Type Colour Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective
Resolution 240 x 240 pixels 128 x 128 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 Music Garmin Instinct
Type Touch sensitive screen Touch buttons
CASE Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Garmin Instinct
Case Shape Round Round
Bezel - Fibre-reinforced polymer
Case Details Black Black lava | Coyote tan | Sunburst | Lakeside blue | Sea foam | Tundra | Graphite | Flame red
BAND Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Garmin Instinct
Band Type Band Strap
Band Width 20 mm 22 mm
Fits Wrist with Circumference 127-204 mm 132-224 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type - Buckle
Band Material Silicone Silicone
Band Colour Black | Blue Lava black | Coyote tan | Sunburst | Lakeside blue | Sea foam
BATTERY Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Garmin Instinct
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Battery Life 7 day(s) 14 day(s)
Battery Life Details Audio playback/GPS - up to 5 hour(s)
Typical usage - up to 7 days
Smartwatch mode - up to 14 days
Esports mode - up to 80 hour(s)
GPS mode - up to 16 hour(s)
UltraTrac mode - up to 40 hour(s)
Rechargeable Battery - Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Garmin Instinct
Included Accessories Charging cable Charging/data cable
Preloaded Software Garmin Pay, Garmin Heartbeat, CONNECT IQ STR3AMUP!
Compliant Standards - MIL-STD 810G
Max Depth of Water Resistance 50 m 100 m
Max Operating Temperature - 60 °C
Min Operating Temperature - -20 °C
Warranty 1-year warranty 1-year warranty
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