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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerAmazfit T-Rex 3 vs Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 vs Garmin Instinct 2X Solar battle comes down to battery life: 27 days vs potentially unlimited with solar charging. If you're looking for a smartwatch that lasts longer in the wild, the Garmin is the clear choice here. In real-world use, the 700 mAh battery of the Amazfit T-Rex 3 provides 27 days of typical usage, making it great for adventures. However, the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar can last indefinitely in smartwatch mode with just 3 hours of sunlight per day, which is a game changer for outdoor enthusiasts who need their device to keep up with their adventures.
⚖️ Weight: 2.41 oz vs 2.36 oz💽 Storage: 32 GB vs 64 GB🔋 Battery: 27 days vs 40 days (unlimited with solar)
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Amazfit T-Rex 3
★4.5
(1,926)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android 7.0 or later; iOS 14.0 or later (Zepp App required)
Operating System:Zepp OS 4
Case Size:48.5mm x 48.5mm x 13.75mm
Case Material:Polymer middle frame; Stainless steel bezel (316L)
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Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
★4.7
(2,562)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone and Android (via Garmin Connect app)
Operating System:Garmin OS
Case Size:50mm (50 x 50 x 14.5 mm / 1.97 x 1.97 x 0.57 in)
Case Material:Bezel & Case: Fiber-reinforced polymer; Lens: Power Glass (Solar); Strap: Silicone
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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Amazfit T-Rex 3
Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Amazfit T-Rex 3
1.5 in (38.1 mm) diameter
Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
Custom two-window design; 1.1" x 1.1" (27 x 27 mm)
Resolution
Amazfit T-Rex 3
480 x 480 pixels (322 ppi)
Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
176 x 176 pixels
Performance1 specs
Storage
Amazfit T-Rex 3
32GB (Approx. 26GB user-accessible for Music/Maps)
Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
64 MB (Activity data and apps only; no music/map storage)Winner
Battery1 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Amazfit T-Rex 3
700 mAh; Up to 27 days (Typical usage); Up to 13 days (Heavy usage); Up to 42 hours (Accuracy GPS mode); Up to 114 hours (GPS Long Battery Life)
Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
Smartwatch: Up to 40 days (Unlimited w/ solar*); GPS: Up to 60 hours (145 hours w/ solar*); Multi-Band: Up to 27 hours (36 hours w/ solar*)
Design2 specs
Weight
Amazfit T-Rex 3
68.3 g (without strap)
Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
67 g (2.4 oz)Winner
Water Resistance
Amazfit T-Rex 3
10 ATM (100 meters); Freediving certified (EN13319) to 45m
Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
10 ATM (100 meters)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Amazfit T-Rex 3
Zepp OS 4
Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
Garmin OS
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Amazfit T-Rex 3
Wi-Fi (2.4GHz); Bluetooth 5.2; BLE
Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
Bluetooth, ANT+
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Amazfit T-Rex 3 vs Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
Amazfit T-Rex 3
★4.5(1,926)Amazon
Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
★4.7(2,562)Amazon
| Criterion | Amazfit T-Rex 3 | Garmin Instinct 2X Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.5(1,926)Amazon | ★4.7(2,562)Amazon |
Compatibility | Android 7.0 or later; iOS 14.0 or later (Zepp App required) | iPhone and Android (via Garmin Connect app) |
Operating System | Zepp OS 4 | Garmin OS |
Case Size | 48.5mm x 48.5mm x 13.75mm | 50mm (50 x 50 x 14.5 mm / 1.97 x 1.97 x 0.57 in) |
Case Material | Polymer middle frame; Stainless steel bezel (316L) | Bezel & Case: Fiber-reinforced polymer; Lens: Power Glass (Solar); Strap: Silicone |
Display Type | AMOLED; Gorilla Glass; Peak brightness 2000 nits | Monochrome, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) |
Display Size | 1.5 in (38.1 mm) diameter | Custom two-window design; 1.1" x 1.1" (27 x 27 mm) |
Resolution | 480 x 480 pixels (322 ppi) | 176 x 176 pixels |
Always On Display | Yes | Yes (MIP technology) |
Water Resistance | 10 ATM (100 meters); Freediving certified (EN13319) to 45m | 10 ATM (100 meters) |
Durability | MIL-STD-810H (70°C heat / -30°C cold / Shock / Humidity); Mud-resistant bridge and buttons | MIL-STD-810 rated (thermal, shock, water); Operating temp: -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F) |
GPS | Dual-band GNSS (L1+L5); 6 Satellite Positioning Systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, NAVIC) | Multi-band GNSS (L1 + L5); GPS, GLONASS, Galileo |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi (2.4GHz); Bluetooth 5.2; BLE | Bluetooth, ANT+ |
NFC Payments | Zepp Pay (Europe/parts of Asia only); Not supported on US models | Yes (Garmin Pay) |
Sensors | BioTracker™ 6.0 PPG biometric sensor (SpO2, Heart Rate); Accelerometer; Gyroscope; Geomagnetic sensor; Barometric altimeter; Ambient light sensor; Temperature sensor (skin/water) | Garmin Elevate Gen 4 Heart Rate; Pulse Ox (SpO2); Barometric Altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer |
Health Features | Readiness Score; HRV (Heart Rate Variability); Sleep Breathing Quality; One-tap measuring (HR, SpO2, Stress, Breathing rate); Sleep stages (REM/Deep/Light); PAI Health Assessment | Sleep Score & Insights; Body Battery; HRV Status; Morning Report; Stress tracking; Respiration; Pulse Ox; Health Snapshot |
Workout Modes | Hyrox Race mode; Ultramarathon; Freediving; Strength Training (auto-detection of 25 movements); Triathlon; Skiing; Snowboarding; Surf; and 170+ others | Obstacle Course Racing, HIIT, Running, Cycling, Swimming, Strength, Skiing, Golf, Indoor Climbing, Tactical (on Tactical Edition) |
Storage | 32GB (Approx. 26GB user-accessible for Music/Maps) | 64 MB (Activity data and apps only; no music/map storage) |
Speaker Mic | Microphone (for Zepp Flow voice commands); No Speaker (Buzzer/Beeper only for alerts) | No (No built-in speaker or microphone) |
Calls | No (Cannot answer calls on wrist; can reject/ignore calls) | No (Notification alerts only; Text response/reject on Android) |
Battery | 700 mAh; Up to 27 days (Typical usage); Up to 13 days (Heavy usage); Up to 42 hours (Accuracy GPS mode); Up to 114 hours (GPS Long Battery Life) | Smartwatch: Up to 40 days (Unlimited w/ solar*); GPS: Up to 60 hours (145 hours w/ solar*); Multi-Band: Up to 27 hours (36 hours w/ solar*) |
Charging | Magnetic charging base (2-pin); Approx. 3 hours to full charge | Garmin proprietary plug charger (USB-A); Solar charging |
Weight | 68.3 g (without strap) | 67 g (2.4 oz) |
Band Sizes | 22mm width; Fits 145–210mm wrists (Proprietary screws but includes adapters for standard bands in some regions) | Fits wrist sizes 145–228 mm; Standard 26 mm QuickFit compatible |
Extras | Offline Maps (Contour/Terrain); Turn-by-turn navigation; Zepp Flow (AI voice assistant); Night Display mode; Glove mode | Built-in LED Flashlight (White/Red variable intensities); Solar charging overlay; Breadcrumb navigation; TracBack; Safety & Incident Detection |
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Amazfit T-Rex 3
Rating:★4.5(1,926)Amazon
Compatibility:Android 7.0 or later; iOS 14.0 or later (Zepp App required)
Operating System:Zepp OS 4
Case Size:48.5mm x 48.5mm x 13.75mm
Case Material:Polymer middle frame; Stainless steel bezel (316L)
Display Type:AMOLED; Gorilla Glass; Peak brightness 2000 nits
Display Size:1.5 in (38.1 mm) diameter
Resolution:480 x 480 pixels (322 ppi)
Always On Display:Yes
Water Resistance:10 ATM (100 meters); Freediving certified (EN13319) to 45m
Durability:MIL-STD-810H (70°C heat / -30°C cold / Shock / Humidity); Mud-resistant bridge and buttons
GPS:Dual-band GNSS (L1+L5); 6 Satellite Positioning Systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, NAVIC)
Connectivity:Wi-Fi (2.4GHz); Bluetooth 5.2; BLE
NFC Payments:Zepp Pay (Europe/parts of Asia only); Not supported on US models
Sensors:BioTracker™ 6.0 PPG biometric sensor (SpO2, Heart Rate); Accelerometer; Gyroscope; Geomagnetic sensor; Barometric altimeter; Ambient light sensor; Temperature sensor (skin/water)
Health Features:Readiness Score; HRV (Heart Rate Variability); Sleep Breathing Quality; One-tap measuring (HR, SpO2, Stress, Breathing rate); Sleep stages (REM/Deep/Light); PAI Health Assessment
Workout Modes:Hyrox Race mode; Ultramarathon; Freediving; Strength Training (auto-detection of 25 movements); Triathlon; Skiing; Snowboarding; Surf; and 170+ others
Storage:32GB (Approx. 26GB user-accessible for Music/Maps)
Speaker Mic:Microphone (for Zepp Flow voice commands); No Speaker (Buzzer/Beeper only for alerts)
Calls:No (Cannot answer calls on wrist; can reject/ignore calls)
Battery:700 mAh; Up to 27 days (Typical usage); Up to 13 days (Heavy usage); Up to 42 hours (Accuracy GPS mode); Up to 114 hours (GPS Long Battery Life)
Charging:Magnetic charging base (2-pin); Approx. 3 hours to full charge
Weight:68.3 g (without strap)
Band Sizes:22mm width; Fits 145–210mm wrists (Proprietary screws but includes adapters for standard bands in some regions)
Extras:Offline Maps (Contour/Terrain); Turn-by-turn navigation; Zepp Flow (AI voice assistant); Night Display mode; Glove mode
✓ Pros:
- • Incredible 27-day battery life crushes the competition
- • Large, bright 1.5" AMOLED (2000 nits) is easy to read outdoors
- • Free offline contour maps with turn-by-turn navigation
- • Freediving certified to 45m (rare at this price point)
- • Generous 32GB storage for offline music and global maps
✗ Cons:
- • No built-in speaker (alerts are beeps/vibrations only)
- • NFC payments (Zepp Pay) are not supported on US hardware
- • Large 48.5mm case is bulky for smaller wrists
- • Proprietary strap system requires adapters to use standard bands
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
Rating:★4.7(2,562)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone and Android (via Garmin Connect app)
Operating System:Garmin OS
Case Size:50mm (50 x 50 x 14.5 mm / 1.97 x 1.97 x 0.57 in)
Case Material:Bezel & Case: Fiber-reinforced polymer; Lens: Power Glass (Solar); Strap: Silicone
Display Type:Monochrome, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)
Display Size:Custom two-window design; 1.1" x 1.1" (27 x 27 mm)
Resolution:176 x 176 pixels
Always On Display:Yes (MIP technology)
Water Resistance:10 ATM (100 meters)
Durability:MIL-STD-810 rated (thermal, shock, water); Operating temp: -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F)
GPS:Multi-band GNSS (L1 + L5); GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
Connectivity:Bluetooth, ANT+
NFC Payments:Yes (Garmin Pay)
Sensors:Garmin Elevate Gen 4 Heart Rate; Pulse Ox (SpO2); Barometric Altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer
Health Features:Sleep Score & Insights; Body Battery; HRV Status; Morning Report; Stress tracking; Respiration; Pulse Ox; Health Snapshot
Workout Modes:Obstacle Course Racing, HIIT, Running, Cycling, Swimming, Strength, Skiing, Golf, Indoor Climbing, Tactical (on Tactical Edition)
Storage:64 MB (Activity data and apps only; no music/map storage)
Speaker Mic:No (No built-in speaker or microphone)
Calls:No (Notification alerts only; Text response/reject on Android)
Battery:Smartwatch: Up to 40 days (Unlimited w/ solar*); GPS: Up to 60 hours (145 hours w/ solar*); Multi-Band: Up to 27 hours (36 hours w/ solar*)
Charging:Garmin proprietary plug charger (USB-A); Solar charging
Weight:67 g (2.4 oz)
Band Sizes:Fits wrist sizes 145–228 mm; Standard 26 mm QuickFit compatible
Extras:Built-in LED Flashlight (White/Red variable intensities); Solar charging overlay; Breadcrumb navigation; TracBack; Safety & Incident Detection
✓ Pros:
- • Integrated LED flashlight is exceptionally useful for safety and utility
- • Potentially unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode (3 hours sun/day)
- • Multi-band GNSS provides superior accuracy in challenging environments
- • Extremely durable construction (MIL-STD-810) and 10 ATM rating
- • High-contrast monochrome display is perfectly legible in direct sunlight
✗ Cons:
- • Monochrome, low-resolution screen lacks the detail of AMOLED or color MIP
- • No topographic maps (breadcrumb trails only)
- • No onboard music storage (controls phone music only)
- • Large 50mm case size is bulky and may not fit smaller wrists well
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Which one is better?
The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar is the better buy for most people - its potentially unlimited battery life crushes the Amazfit T-Rex 3.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Amazfit T-Rex 3 if: you want a vibrant 1.5" AMOLED display, need 32GB for offline music, or prefer a rugged design for casual use.
Choose the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar if: you need potentially unlimited battery life, want an integrated LED flashlight for safety, or regularly engage in outdoor activities like hiking or camping. (2.36 oz weight, 64 GB storage)
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Amazfit T-Rex 3 excels if you value incredible 27-day battery life crushes the competition. Garmin Instinct 2X Solar is better if you prioritize integrated led flashlight is exceptionally useful for safety and utility. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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