I’ve never liked the Instinct series as a watch for my wrists. However, from day 1, I thought the concept and execution by Garmin were very good, explaining why it has become an important product for the company.
The latest Instinct series marks its maturation in line with the models in the more expensive Fenix Series. Instinct E is the old-school, basic model, whereas Instinct 3 Solar and Instinct 3 AMOLED do as their name suggests, albeit at higher price points.
Outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of the rugged ‘Casio Style’ have never had it so good. Choice abounds.
I’ll save a review of Instinct 3 for next month after testing the Instinct 3 45mm AMOLED model.
Here’s a quick overview of the Series and its three models. Also, check out Garmin’s feature comparison tool (often wrong) to see which detailed features are added or omitted.
At best, Instinct E resembles the earlier Instinct 2S, with a slight partial refresh. The E model has a slightly larger display than the 2S and can display large fonts. Surprisingly, battery life across the board is not as good as on the 2S.
Size: Only 40mm size.
Display: Features a 0.8″ (166x166px) transflective display, offering excellent readability in direct sunlight.
Battery Life: Offers robust battery performance, though specific metrics may vary.
Durability: Designed for outdoor use with a durable polymer case, but lacks the metal bezel of the other Instinct 3 models.
Key Features: While it doesn’t include the advanced features of the higher-end models, it provides essential health tracking and fitness features at a more affordable price point.
Price: Starts at $299.99.
Instinct E also boasts the addition of an on-device Connect IQ store plus support for the messenger app, Garmin Share, Incident detection, race glance widget, live event sharing, load ratio, training load focus, workout benefit and rest timer.
On the downside, triathlon support, power meter support, running power support and FTP are omitted. Unlike the other Instinct 3 models, Instinct E misses out on SatIQ.
Take Out – a disappointing scaling back of some features.
Instinct 3 AMOLED
Remember, the Instinct 2 was modestly updated when its larger 2X sibling was released a year after the former’s launch. Both are updated with AMOLED displays and nice-looking watch faces to match. Whilst the Elevate 4 OHR sensor is NOT updated to Gen 5, the GNSS sensor supports SatIQ, an energy-efficient maximum accuracy mode.
You would have thought that Instinct 3 battery life (vs Instinct 2) would be improved everywhere. It’s not. GPS performance modes are improved but battery performance as a smartwatch falls slightly.
Sizes: Available in 45mm and 50mm sizes (no 40mm)
Display: Equipped with a vibrant AMOLED display for bright, clear visuals. 1.2″ (390x390px) for the 45mm model and 1.3″ (416x416px) for the 50mm.
Battery Life: A single charge offers up to 24 days in smartwatch mode.
Image Source: dcrainmaker
Durability: The rugged design features a metal-reinforced bezel and fibre-reinforced polymer case and is water-rated to 100 meters. Meets MIL-STD 810 standards for thermal and shock resistance.
Key Features: Includes health monitoring like heart rate tracking, Pulse Ox, stress tracking, and advanced sleep analysis. It also features built-in sports apps, smart notifications, and Garmin Pay for contactless payments.
Price: $449.99 for the 45mm model and $499.99 for the 50mm model.
There are lots of feature updates, including a flashlight with redshift mode, Garmin PAY, colour AMOLED display, gyroscope, sleep coach, nap detection, on-screen animations and muscle maps, new advanced lap management, Varia Vision support (handy ‘cos there will be a new Varia vision product later this year!), advanced cycling dynamics and quite a bit more.
Take Out – IMHO, a nice-looking update – others will ‘hate’ the AMOLED display. The new features and AMOLED might just about justify the huge $150 price bump.
3. Instinct 3 Solar
The old Instinct 2X and new 3 Solar 50mm (effectively the 3X) surprisingly keep the same price tag at $449. The smallest 45mm solar option is even cheaper at $399. Don’t forget that there is still no SOLAR+AMOLED model.
The new 3X is a tad lighter than the 2X and boasts the same non-colour screen resolutions.
While the solar panels provide a noticeable battery boost over the new AMOLED version, I would have expected more. Compared to 2X Solar, the improvements are there in places but not Earth-shattering, as the table shows:
Instinct 3 50m (3X) Solar (new)
Instinct 2X Solar (old)
Smartwatch: Up to 40 days/Unlimited with solar
Smartwatch: 40 days; unlimited with solar
Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 100 days/Unlimited with solar
Battery Saver Watch Mode: 100 days; unlimited with solar
GPS Only: Up to 60 hours/ 260 hours with solar
GPS: 60 hours; 145 hours with solar
All Satellite Systems: Up to 40 hours/80 hours with solar
All Satellite Systems: 40 hours; 65 hours with solar
All Satellite Systems + Multi-Band: Up to 34 hours/60 hours with solar
All Satellite Systems + Multi-Band: 27 hours; 36 hours with solar
Max Battery GPS: Up to 150 hours/Unlimited with solar
Max Battery GPS Mode: 150 hours; unlimited with solar
Expedition GPS: Up to 60 days/Unlimited with solar
Expedition GPS Activity: 60 days; unlimited with solar
Sizes: Available in 45mm and 50mm sizes.
Display: Features a transflective solar display, providing optimal visibility in bright environments.
Battery Life: Offers up to 40 days in smartwatch mode, with unlimited battery life possible when solar charging in ideal sunlight conditions.
Durability: Boasts a metal-reinforced bezel, fibre-reinforced polymer case, and water resistance up to 100 meters, with MIL-STD 810 durability standards.
Key Features: Retains most of the features of the AMOLED version that are not display-related but emphasize solar charging for long-term outdoor adventures. Includes health and fitness tracking, smart notifications, and GPS functionality.
Price: Starts at $399.99.
There are the same new features here, too, as elsewhere in today’s announcement, including a flashlight with redshift mode, Garmin PAY, 128Mb storage, gyroscope, sleep coach, nap detection, new advanced lap management, Varia Vision support, advanced cycling dynamics and quite a bit more.
Take Out – OK, you get the new smaller size for the first time for an Instinct Solar, but there are not many new features on offer here compared to Instinct 2X. But as they are the same price, it’s a no-brainer to go for Instinct 3.
Take Out
What, no maps? Yep, that’s right, a $450 Garmin watch for outdoor adventures has no maps, but it does have Garmin PAY so that you can get a coffee.
The new solar panels are as expected and offer a performance boost, at least on paper. An AMOLED option was half a surprise, and the lack of a touchscreen doesn’t especially surprise me. I was mostly surprised that Garmin hasn’t included the latest Elevate Gen 5 OHR/ECG sensor. Coupled with the lack of a touchscreen, Garmin needs clear differentiators from the Instinct models to the Fenix models, and the hardware, map, and feature omissions provide that.
A quick delve into some of the features reveals something odd.
In some ways, Instinct E is a cut-down version of Instinct 2S.
Instinct 3 Solar is highly similar to 2X Solar (but adds a solar 45mm option)
So the meaty news is the amoledification (yes, that is a word) of the 3 and 3X (50mm) models. The screen and new features perhaps justify the price bump.
The processors and solar panels have been updated, but surprisingly, the optical HR has not. Couple that with the lack of the new Garmin UI, mixed support for Garmin PAY and a mixed bag of GPS hardware accuracy capabilities through the range, Garmin has done its best to make the products as incomprehensible as possible to potential buyers-if anyone can explain the latest Fenix and Instinct series in a three-sentence paragraph, I’ll be impressed and surprised.
9 thoughts on “Garmin Instinct 3 Series – Opinion+Details: Instinct E, Instinct 3 Solar, Instict AMOLED”
Do you like the updates and will you buy one? Curious on your take. Also seems Instinct E joins the Fenix E, where you are better off buying the older version on amazon.
Very very disappointed.
They should have added mapping or/and substantial solar boost. Neither was delivered. A major skip for me (i.e. keeping my 2X).
Very very disappointed.
They should have added mapping or/and substantial solar boost. Neither was delivered. A major skip for me (i.e. keeping my 2X).
i can see why you say that owning a 2X.
It’s crazy there is no maps but i see why garmin think it makes sense to do it. who would buy a more expensive fenix if instinct had simialr maps? (A: still quite a lot of people!!!)
It looks like it was a real photo. Back then, I already thought that such an ugly watch would probably never be released. And yet, here we are. Those colors, the sparkles, and even the models showcasing the watches in Garmin’s photos—all of it leads me to the conclusion that the Instinct 3 was designed to ensure you don’t get lost in the urban jungle.
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Do you like the updates and will you buy one? Curious on your take. Also seems Instinct E joins the Fenix E, where you are better off buying the older version on amazon.
i think i’ll get the 45mm amoled. i’m not interested in solar and i cant really see the point for me for the E
Very very disappointed.
They should have added mapping or/and substantial solar boost. Neither was delivered. A major skip for me.
Very very disappointed.
They should have added mapping or/and substantial solar boost. Neither was delivered. A major skip for me (i.e. keeping my 2X).
Very very disappointed.
They should have added mapping or/and substantial solar boost. Neither was delivered. A major skip for me (i.e. keeping my 2X).
i can see why you say that owning a 2X.
It’s crazy there is no maps but i see why garmin think it makes sense to do it. who would buy a more expensive fenix if instinct had simialr maps? (A: still quite a lot of people!!!)
anyway, you can add dwmap to get maps on this.
https://the5krunner.com/2024/07/05/garmin-instinct-3-solar-45mm-images-leaked-fake-fab-or-fugly/
It looks like it was a real photo. Back then, I already thought that such an ugly watch would probably never be released. And yet, here we are. Those colors, the sparkles, and even the models showcasing the watches in Garmin’s photos—all of it leads me to the conclusion that the Instinct 3 was designed to ensure you don’t get lost in the urban jungle.
the display is inverted for starters! there are other differences.
but it could have been an early prototype I suppose
Do we know how many charge % do we get on Instinct 3 Solar 50mm compared to 2X under same conditions? How much better are new panels?