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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerGoogle Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) vs Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
If you want a stylish smartwatch with advanced features, the Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) is the premium option. It boasts a stunning 1.4-inch AMOLED display and a solid 40-hour battery life, making it great for daily wear. However, if you’re after ruggedness and unlimited battery life through solar charging, the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar really shines with its extreme durability and unique features like a built-in LED flashlight. In real-world use, the Google Pixel Watch 4's 3,000 nits brightness makes it a joy to use outdoors, while the Garmin's monochrome display lacks the same detail. The deciding factor here is battery life: 40 hours on the Pixel vs potentially unlimited with solar on the Garmin. This means you can go on extended adventures with the Garmin without worrying about charging, but you’ll miss out on the vibrant display and features of the Pixel.
📱 Display: 1.4" vs 0.9"⚖️ Weight: 1.29 oz vs 1.83 oz💽 Storage: 32 GB vs 64 GB
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Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
★4.5
(405)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android 11.0 or later (Google account required); not compatible with iOS
Operating System:Wear OS 6.0 (pre-installed)
Case Size:45mm (45.0 x 45.0 x 12.3 mm)
Case Material:100% recycled aluminum case; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5
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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
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
1.4 in (Actua 360 domed design)Winner
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Custom two-window design; 0.9 in (23 mm) diameter
Resolution
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
456 x 456 pixels (320 ppi)
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
176 x 176 pixels
Performance1 specs
Storage
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
32GB eMMC flash
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
64MB (History and CIQ apps only; No onboard music storage)Winner
Battery1 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
455 mAh; Up to 40 hours with Always-On Display; Up to 72 hours in Battery Saver 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
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
36.7 g (without band)Winner
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
52 g
Water Resistance
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
5 ATM (50 meters)
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
10 ATM (100 meters)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
Wear OS 6.0 (pre-installed)
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Proprietary Garmin OS
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
Bluetooth 6.0; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 2.4GHz/5GHz; NFC; Ultra-Wideband (UWB); LTE version available
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: Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) vs Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
★4.5(405)Amazon
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
★4.6(1,634)Amazon
| Criterion | Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.5(405)Amazon | ★4.6(1,634)Amazon |
Compatibility | Android 11.0 or later (Google account required); not compatible with iOS | iPhone (iOS 16 or later); Android (8.0 or later) |
Operating System | Wear OS 6.0 (pre-installed) | Proprietary Garmin OS |
Case Size | 45mm (45.0 x 45.0 x 12.3 mm) | 45mm (45 x 45 x 14.5 mm) |
Case Material | 100% recycled aluminum case; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Fiber-reinforced polymer case with metal-reinforced bezel; Power Glass lens |
Display Type | Actua 360 AMOLED LTPO (1-60Hz) with 15% thinner bezels | Monochrome, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) with solar charging |
Display Size | 1.4 in (Actua 360 domed design) | Custom two-window design; 0.9 in (23 mm) diameter |
Resolution | 456 x 456 pixels (320 ppi) | 176 x 176 pixels |
Always On Display | Yes (Up to 3,000 nits peak brightness, 1 nit minimum) | Yes (MIP display is always visible) |
Water Resistance | 5 ATM (50 meters) | 10 ATM (100 meters) |
Durability | IP68 dust and water resistance; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | MIL-STD-810 thermal, shock, and water resistance; Metal-reinforced polymer bezel |
GPS | Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5); GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, NavIC | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo |
Connectivity | Bluetooth 6.0; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 2.4GHz/5GHz; NFC; Ultra-Wideband (UWB); LTE version available | Bluetooth 5.3; ANT+; USB |
NFC Payments | Google Wallet | Garmin Pay |
Sensors | Compass; Altimeter; Red/Infrared SpO2 sensors; Multipurpose electrical sensors (ECG); Multi-path optical heart rate sensor; 3-axis accelerometer; Gyroscope; Ambient light sensor; cEDA sensor (stress); Skin temperature sensor; Barometer; Magnetometer | Garmin Elevate Gen 4 wrist heart rate monitor; Pulse Ox; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer |
Health Features | Gemini-powered Health Coach; Sleep Apnea detection; Daily Readiness; Cardio Load; ECG app; High/low heart rate notifications; Stress management (cEDA); Skin temperature variation | Sleep Coach; Nap detection; Body Battery energy monitoring; HRV Status; Morning Report; Stress tracking; Respiration rate |
Workout Modes | 40+ exercise modes; Auto-workout detection; Custom runs; Real-time guidance; Pace training; Heart Zone training | Strength; HIIT; Cardio; Elliptical; Stair Stepping; Indoor Rowing; Running (Outdoor/Trail/Treadmill); Cycling; Swimming (Pool/Open Water); Obstacle Racing; Triathlon |
Storage | 32GB eMMC flash | 64MB (History and CIQ apps only; No onboard music storage) |
Speaker Mic | Built-in speaker (improved for Gemini); Microphone | — |
Calls | Yes (via Bluetooth or standalone on LTE models) | No (Call notifications only) |
Battery | 455 mAh; Up to 40 hours with Always-On Display; Up to 72 hours in Battery Saver mode | Smartwatch: Unlimited with solar (28 days without); GPS: Up to 30 hours (48 hours with solar); Expedition GPS: Unlimited with solar |
Charging | Fast charging (50% in 15 min; 80% in 30 min; 100% in 60 min) via 5-pin magnetic dock | Garmin proprietary plug charger; Solar charging (Power Glass) |
Weight | 36.7 g (without band) | 52 g |
Band Sizes | Active Band included (Small: 150–185 mm; Large: 165–215 mm) | Fits wrists 135-230 mm; Compatible with QuickFit 22 watch bands |
Extras | Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chip; Cortex M55 co-processor; Satellite SOS (LTE only); Offline Google Maps; Safety Check; Fall Detection | Built-in LED Flashlight (White/Red strobe); Safety and Tracking features; Reference Point; TracBack routing |
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Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
Rating:★4.5(405)Amazon
Compatibility:Android 11.0 or later (Google account required); not compatible with iOS
Operating System:Wear OS 6.0 (pre-installed)
Case Size:45mm (45.0 x 45.0 x 12.3 mm)
Case Material:100% recycled aluminum case; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Display Type:Actua 360 AMOLED LTPO (1-60Hz) with 15% thinner bezels
Display Size:1.4 in (Actua 360 domed design)
Resolution:456 x 456 pixels (320 ppi)
Always On Display:Yes (Up to 3,000 nits peak brightness, 1 nit minimum)
Water Resistance:5 ATM (50 meters)
Durability:IP68 dust and water resistance; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5
GPS:Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5); GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, NavIC
Connectivity:Bluetooth 6.0; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 2.4GHz/5GHz; NFC; Ultra-Wideband (UWB); LTE version available
NFC Payments:Google Wallet
Sensors:Compass; Altimeter; Red/Infrared SpO2 sensors; Multipurpose electrical sensors (ECG); Multi-path optical heart rate sensor; 3-axis accelerometer; Gyroscope; Ambient light sensor; cEDA sensor (stress); Skin temperature sensor; Barometer; Magnetometer
Health Features:Gemini-powered Health Coach; Sleep Apnea detection; Daily Readiness; Cardio Load; ECG app; High/low heart rate notifications; Stress management (cEDA); Skin temperature variation
Workout Modes:40+ exercise modes; Auto-workout detection; Custom runs; Real-time guidance; Pace training; Heart Zone training
Storage:32GB eMMC flash
Speaker Mic:Built-in speaker (improved for Gemini); Microphone
Calls:Yes (via Bluetooth or standalone on LTE models)
Battery:455 mAh; Up to 40 hours with Always-On Display; Up to 72 hours in Battery Saver mode
Charging:Fast charging (50% in 15 min; 80% in 30 min; 100% in 60 min) via 5-pin magnetic dock
Weight:36.7 g (without band)
Band Sizes:Active Band included (Small: 150–185 mm; Large: 165–215 mm)
Extras:Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chip; Cortex M55 co-processor; Satellite SOS (LTE only); Offline Google Maps; Safety Check; Fall Detection
✓ Pros:
- • Battery life significantly improved to 40 hours with AOD enabled
- • Brighter Actua 360 display (3,000 nits) with thinner bezels
- • Faster charging (0-50% in just 15 minutes)
- • New Satellite SOS feature for emergency communication (LTE models)
✗ Cons:
- • Design remains largely unchanged (still uses Gorilla Glass 5)
- • Requires Android 11.0+ (no iOS support)
- • Case thickness (12.3mm) is substantial compared to competitors
- • Satellite SOS requires an active LTE plan/carrier support
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
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Which one is better?
The Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) is the better buy for most people - its 1.4-inch AMOLED display crushes the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar's monochrome screen. That said, grab the Garmin if you need unlimited battery life for outdoor adventures - it's built for rugged use.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) if: you want a vibrant display for daily notifications, you enjoy smart features like ECG monitoring, or you need a stylish smartwatch for everyday use. (1.4" display, 1.29 oz weight)
Choose the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar if: you need unlimited battery life for long hikes, you want a rugged device that can handle tough conditions, or you prefer a smartwatch that offers basic fitness tracking without the frills. (0.9" display, 1.83 oz weight)
Conclusion
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) and Garmin Instinct 3 Solar are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) excels if you value battery life significantly improved to 40 hours with aod enabled. 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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