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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerApple Watch Series 11 vs Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
The Apple Watch Series 11 is the premium option here, boasting a stunning 2000 nits brightness on its AMOLED display. In real-world use, this makes it incredibly easy to read in direct sunlight, unlike the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar's monochrome MIP display, which measures just 176x176 pixels. While the Apple Watch offers a solid 24-hour battery life, the Garmin can potentially last indefinitely with solar charging. So, if you're an outdoor enthusiast or need a smartwatch that keeps going, the Garmin might be your best bet. However, if you want a vibrant display and advanced health features, the Apple Watch is worth the upgrade in 2026.
⚖️ Weight: 1.07 oz vs 1.83 oz📱 Display: 2000 nits vs 176x176🔋 Battery: 24h vs infinite (solar charging)
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Apple Watch Series 11
★4.7
(1,649)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone 11 or later with iOS 26 or later
Operating System:watchOS 26
Case Size:42mm (42mm H x 36mm W x 9.7mm D) or 46mm (46mm H x 39mm W x 9.7mm D)
Case Material:Aluminum (Rose Gold, Silver, Space Gray, Jet Black) or Titanium (Slate, Gold, Natural)
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Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
★4.6
(1,634)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone (iOS 16 or later); Android (8.0 or later)
Operating System:Proprietary Garmin OS
Case Size:45mm (45 x 45 x 14.5 mm)
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer case with metal-reinforced bezel; Power Glass lens
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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
Apple Watch Series 11
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Apple Watch Series 11
989 sq mm (42mm) or 1220 sq mm (46mm)
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Custom two-window design; 0.9 in (23 mm) diameter
Resolution
Apple Watch Series 11
374 x 446 pixels (42mm) or 416 x 496 pixels (46mm) (326 ppi)
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
176 x 176 pixels
Performance1 specs
Storage
Apple Watch Series 11
64GB
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
64MB (History and CIQ apps only; No onboard music storage)
Battery1 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Apple Watch Series 11
Up to 24 hours (normal use); Up to 38 hours (Low Power Mode)
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Smartwatch: Unlimited with solar (28 days without); GPS: Up to 30 hours (48 hours with solar); Expedition GPS: Unlimited with solar
Design2 specs
Weight
Apple Watch Series 11
42mm: 30.3 g (Alu GPS), 29.7 g (Alu Cell), 34.6 g (Ti); 46mm: 37.8 g (Alu GPS), 36.9 g (Alu Cell), 43.1 g (Ti)Winner
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
52 g
Water Resistance
Apple Watch Series 11
Water resistance 50 m (swimproof)
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
10 ATM (100 meters)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Apple Watch Series 11
watchOS 26
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Proprietary Garmin OS
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Apple Watch Series 11
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n); Bluetooth 5.3; Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip; Apple Pay; 5G (RedCap) and LTE on Cellular models
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Bluetooth 5.3; ANT+; USB
+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: Apple Watch Series 11 vs Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Apple Watch Series 11
★4.7(1,649)Amazon
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
★4.6(1,634)Amazon
| Criterion | Apple Watch Series 11 | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(1,649)Amazon | ★4.6(1,634)Amazon |
Compatibility | iPhone 11 or later with iOS 26 or later | iPhone (iOS 16 or later); Android (8.0 or later) |
Operating System | watchOS 26 | Proprietary Garmin OS |
Case Size | 42mm (42mm H x 36mm W x 9.7mm D) or 46mm (46mm H x 39mm W x 9.7mm D) | 45mm (45 x 45 x 14.5 mm) |
Case Material | Aluminum (Rose Gold, Silver, Space Gray, Jet Black) or Titanium (Slate, Gold, Natural) | Fiber-reinforced polymer case with metal-reinforced bezel; Power Glass lens |
Display Type | Always-On Retina LTPO3 wide-angle OLED; Ion-X front glass with 2x scratch resistance (Aluminum) or Sapphire crystal (Titanium) | Monochrome, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) with solar charging |
Display Size | 989 sq mm (42mm) or 1220 sq mm (46mm) | Custom two-window design; 0.9 in (23 mm) diameter |
Resolution | 374 x 446 pixels (42mm) or 416 x 496 pixels (46mm) (326 ppi) | 176 x 176 pixels |
Always On Display | Yes (Up to 2000 nits peak, 1 nit minimum) | Yes (MIP display is always visible) |
Water Resistance | Water resistance 50 m (swimproof) | 10 ATM (100 meters) |
Durability | IP6X dust resistance; 2x more scratch-resistant Ion-X glass (Aluminum models); Sapphire crystal (Titanium models) | MIL-STD-810 thermal, shock, and water resistance; Metal-reinforced polymer bezel |
GPS | L1 GPS, GNSS, Galileo, and BeiDou | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n); Bluetooth 5.3; Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip; Apple Pay; 5G (RedCap) and LTE on Cellular models | Bluetooth 5.3; ANT+; USB |
NFC Payments | Apple Pay | Garmin Pay |
Sensors | Electrical heart sensor (ECG); 3rd-generation optical heart sensor; Temperature sensor; Compass; Always-on altimeter; High-g accelerometer; High dynamic range gyroscope; Ambient light sensor; Depth gauge (to 6m); Water temperature sensor | Garmin Elevate Gen 4 wrist heart rate monitor; Pulse Ox; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer |
Health Features | Sleep Apnea notifications; Hypertension notifications; Vitals app; ECG app; High/low heart rate notifications; Cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates | Sleep Coach; Nap detection; Body Battery energy monitoring; HRV Status; Morning Report; Stress tracking; Respiration rate |
Workout Modes | Custom workouts; Multisport; Race Route; Running; Cycling; Hiking; Swimming (Pool & Open Water); Snorkeling (to 6m); Tides app | Strength; HIIT; Cardio; Elliptical; Stair Stepping; Indoor Rowing; Running (Outdoor/Trail/Treadmill); Cycling; Swimming (Pool/Open Water); Obstacle Racing; Triathlon |
Storage | 64GB | 64MB (History and CIQ apps only; No onboard music storage) |
Speaker Mic | Speaker (media playback supported); Microphone with Voice Isolation | — |
Calls | Yes (via Wi-Fi/iPhone or 5G/LTE on Cellular models) | No (Call notifications only) |
Battery | Up to 24 hours (normal use); Up to 38 hours (Low Power Mode) | Smartwatch: Unlimited with solar (28 days without); GPS: Up to 30 hours (48 hours with solar); Expedition GPS: Unlimited with solar |
Charging | Fast charge capable (0-80% in approx. 30 minutes) | Garmin proprietary plug charger; Solar charging (Power Glass) |
Weight | 42mm: 30.3 g (Alu GPS), 29.7 g (Alu Cell), 34.6 g (Ti); 46mm: 37.8 g (Alu GPS), 36.9 g (Alu Cell), 43.1 g (Ti) | 52 g |
Band Sizes | Fits 130–200mm wrists (42mm) or 140–245mm wrists (46mm) | Fits wrists 135-230 mm; Compatible with QuickFit 22 watch bands |
Extras | S10 SiP (64-bit dual-core); 4-core Neural Engine; Double tap gesture; Precision Finding for iPhone; On-device Siri | Built-in LED Flashlight (White/Red strobe); Safety and Tracking features; Reference Point; TracBack routing |
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Apple Watch Series 11
Rating:★4.7(1,649)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone 11 or later with iOS 26 or later
Operating System:watchOS 26
Case Size:42mm (42mm H x 36mm W x 9.7mm D) or 46mm (46mm H x 39mm W x 9.7mm D)
Case Material:Aluminum (Rose Gold, Silver, Space Gray, Jet Black) or Titanium (Slate, Gold, Natural)
Display Type:Always-On Retina LTPO3 wide-angle OLED; Ion-X front glass with 2x scratch resistance (Aluminum) or Sapphire crystal (Titanium)
Display Size:989 sq mm (42mm) or 1220 sq mm (46mm)
Resolution:374 x 446 pixels (42mm) or 416 x 496 pixels (46mm) (326 ppi)
Always On Display:Yes (Up to 2000 nits peak, 1 nit minimum)
Water Resistance:Water resistance 50 m (swimproof)
Durability:IP6X dust resistance; 2x more scratch-resistant Ion-X glass (Aluminum models); Sapphire crystal (Titanium models)
GPS:L1 GPS, GNSS, Galileo, and BeiDou
Connectivity:Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n); Bluetooth 5.3; Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip; Apple Pay; 5G (RedCap) and LTE on Cellular models
NFC Payments:Apple Pay
Sensors:Electrical heart sensor (ECG); 3rd-generation optical heart sensor; Temperature sensor; Compass; Always-on altimeter; High-g accelerometer; High dynamic range gyroscope; Ambient light sensor; Depth gauge (to 6m); Water temperature sensor
Health Features:Sleep Apnea notifications; Hypertension notifications; Vitals app; ECG app; High/low heart rate notifications; Cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates
Workout Modes:Custom workouts; Multisport; Race Route; Running; Cycling; Hiking; Swimming (Pool & Open Water); Snorkeling (to 6m); Tides app
Storage:64GB
Speaker Mic:Speaker (media playback supported); Microphone with Voice Isolation
Calls:Yes (via Wi-Fi/iPhone or 5G/LTE on Cellular models)
Battery:Up to 24 hours (normal use); Up to 38 hours (Low Power Mode)
Charging:Fast charge capable (0-80% in approx. 30 minutes)
Weight:42mm: 30.3 g (Alu GPS), 29.7 g (Alu Cell), 34.6 g (Ti); 46mm: 37.8 g (Alu GPS), 36.9 g (Alu Cell), 43.1 g (Ti)
Band Sizes:Fits 130–200mm wrists (42mm) or 140–245mm wrists (46mm)
Extras:S10 SiP (64-bit dual-core); 4-core Neural Engine; Double tap gesture; Precision Finding for iPhone; On-device Siri
✓ Pros:
- • Battery life increased to 24 hours (up from 18h on Series 10)
- • Aluminum models feature 2x more scratch-resistant Ion-X glass
- • First non-Ultra Apple Watch to support 5G (RedCap) connectivity
- • Includes sleep apnea and hypertension notification features
✗ Cons:
- • Uses the same S10 chip as the previous generation (no speed gain)
- • Design and dimensions are identical to Series 10
- • Requires iOS 26, limiting compatibility with older iPhones
- • 5G support limited to Cellular models
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Rating:★4.6(1,634)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone (iOS 16 or later); Android (8.0 or later)
Operating System:Proprietary Garmin OS
Case Size:45mm (45 x 45 x 14.5 mm)
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer case with metal-reinforced bezel; Power Glass lens
Display Type:Monochrome, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) with solar charging
Display Size:Custom two-window design; 0.9 in (23 mm) diameter
Resolution:176 x 176 pixels
Always On Display:Yes (MIP display is always visible)
Water Resistance:10 ATM (100 meters)
Durability:MIL-STD-810 thermal, shock, and water resistance; Metal-reinforced polymer bezel
GPS:Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
Connectivity:Bluetooth 5.3; ANT+; USB
NFC Payments:Garmin Pay
Sensors:Garmin Elevate Gen 4 wrist heart rate monitor; Pulse Ox; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer
Health Features:Sleep Coach; Nap detection; Body Battery energy monitoring; HRV Status; Morning Report; Stress tracking; Respiration rate
Workout Modes:Strength; HIIT; Cardio; Elliptical; Stair Stepping; Indoor Rowing; Running (Outdoor/Trail/Treadmill); Cycling; Swimming (Pool/Open Water); Obstacle Racing; Triathlon
Storage:64MB (History and CIQ apps only; No onboard music storage)
Speaker Mic:—
Calls:No (Call notifications only)
Battery:Smartwatch: Unlimited with solar (28 days without); GPS: Up to 30 hours (48 hours with solar); Expedition GPS: Unlimited with solar
Charging:Garmin proprietary plug charger; Solar charging (Power Glass)
Weight:52 g
Band Sizes:Fits wrists 135-230 mm; Compatible with QuickFit 22 watch bands
Extras:Built-in LED Flashlight (White/Red strobe); Safety and Tracking features; Reference Point; TracBack routing
✓ Pros:
- • Potentially infinite battery life in smartwatch mode with solar charging
- • Built-in LED flashlight is now available on the standard 45mm size
- • Multi-band GPS with SatIQ delivers superior accuracy in difficult terrain
- • Extreme durability with new metal-reinforced bezel design
✗ Cons:
- • Monochrome low-resolution display (176x176) lacks detail compared to AMOLED rivals
- • No onboard music storage or maps (breadcrumb navigation only)
- • Lacks the newest Gen 5 Heart Rate sensor (No ECG support)
- • Proprietary charging cable is still required if solar is insufficient
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Which one is better?
The Apple Watch Series 11 is the better buy for most people - its vibrant 2000 nits AMOLED display crushes the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar's 176x176 MIP screen. That said, grab the Garmin if you prioritize extreme battery life with solar charging - it can last indefinitely in smartwatch mode.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple Watch Series 11 if: you want a brilliant 2000 nits display, need advanced health features like ECG, or prefer a lighter 1.07oz design.
Choose the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar if: you need potentially infinite battery life, want a rugged smartwatch for outdoor activities, or appreciate having a built-in LED flashlight. (1.83 oz weight)
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?
Apple Watch Series 11 excels if you value battery life increased to 24 hours (up from 18h on series 10). Garmin Instinct 3 Solar is better if you prioritize potentially infinite battery life in smartwatch mode with solar charging. 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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