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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerOnePlus Watch 2 vs Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
The OnePlus Watch 2 is the premium option here, but if you're looking for something more budget-friendly, the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar has its unique perks. In real-world use, the OnePlus offers a stunning AMOLED display, while the Garmin's solar charging could mean unlimited battery life, which is a game-changer for long outdoor activities. The OnePlus Watch 2 crushes the Garmin in display quality with its 466x466 pixels vs the Garmin’s 176x176 resolution. However, the Garmin shines with its rugged build and superior water resistance at 100m, making it the go-to for serious adventurers. For everyday use, the OnePlus's 100-hour battery life is impressive, but the Garmin's solar potential means it could last indefinitely if you’re outdoors enough.
⚖️ Weight: 1.73 oz vs 1.83 oz💽 Storage: 32 GB vs 64 GB📱 Display: 466x466 vs 176x176
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OnePlus Watch 2
★4.6
(538)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android 8.0+ only (requires GMS 23.45.23+); iOS and Android Go edition NOT supported
Operating System:Wear OS 4 + RTOS (Dual-Engine Architecture)
Case Size:47mm (47.0 x 46.6 x 12.1 mm / 1.85 x 1.83 x 0.47 in)
Case Material:Chassis: Stainless steel; Bottom: Plastic (PC/PC+glass fiber); Cover: 2.5D Sapphire Crystal
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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
OnePlus Watch 2
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
OnePlus Watch 2
1.43 in (3.63 cm)
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Custom two-window design; 0.9 in (23 mm) diameter
Resolution
OnePlus Watch 2
466 x 466 pixels (326 ppi); 600 nits default brightness
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
176 x 176 pixels
Performance1 specs
Storage
OnePlus Watch 2
32 GB ROM + 2 GB RAM (Approx. 4GB reserved for RTOS)
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
64MB (History and CIQ apps only; No onboard music storage)Winner
Battery1 specs
Battery CapacityKey
OnePlus Watch 2
500 mAh; Up to 100 hours (Smart Mode); Up to 48 hours (Heavy Use); Up to 12 days (Power 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
OnePlus Watch 2
49 g (Watch only) / 80 g (with Fluororubber strap)Winner
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
52 g
Water Resistance
OnePlus Watch 2
5 ATM (50 m) + IP68 (1.5m for 30 min)
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
10 ATM (100 meters)
Software1 specs
Operating System
OnePlus Watch 2
Wear OS 4 + RTOS (Dual-Engine Architecture)
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Proprietary Garmin OS
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
OnePlus Watch 2
Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz/5GHz (802.11 a/b/g/n)
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: OnePlus Watch 2 vs Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
OnePlus Watch 2
★4.6(538)Amazon
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
★4.6(1,634)Amazon
| Criterion | OnePlus Watch 2 | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(538)Amazon | ★4.6(1,634)Amazon |
Compatibility | Android 8.0+ only (requires GMS 23.45.23+); iOS and Android Go edition NOT supported | iPhone (iOS 16 or later); Android (8.0 or later) |
Operating System | Wear OS 4 + RTOS (Dual-Engine Architecture) | Proprietary Garmin OS |
Case Size | 47mm (47.0 x 46.6 x 12.1 mm / 1.85 x 1.83 x 0.47 in) | 45mm (45 x 45 x 14.5 mm) |
Case Material | Chassis: Stainless steel; Bottom: Plastic (PC/PC+glass fiber); Cover: 2.5D Sapphire Crystal | Fiber-reinforced polymer case with metal-reinforced bezel; Power Glass lens |
Display Type | AMOLED touchscreen | Monochrome, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) with solar charging |
Display Size | 1.43 in (3.63 cm) | Custom two-window design; 0.9 in (23 mm) diameter |
Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (326 ppi); 600 nits default brightness | 176 x 176 pixels |
Always On Display | Yes | Yes (MIP display is always visible) |
Water Resistance | 5 ATM (50 m) + IP68 (1.5m for 30 min) | 10 ATM (100 meters) |
Durability | MIL-STD-810H certified; Sapphire crystal face; Operating temp: -20°C to 55°C | MIL-STD-810 thermal, shock, and water resistance; Metal-reinforced polymer bezel |
GPS | Dual-frequency L1 + L5; Beidou, GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo |
Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz/5GHz (802.11 a/b/g/n) | Bluetooth 5.3; ANT+; USB |
NFC Payments | Yes (Google Wallet) | Garmin Pay |
Sensors | Optical heart rate; optical pulse oximeter (SpO2); accelerometer; gyroscope; geomagnetic sensor; light sensor; barometer | Garmin Elevate Gen 4 wrist heart rate monitor; Pulse Ox; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer |
Health Features | Sleep tracking (stages, score, snoring risk); OHealth breathing training; stress monitoring; heart rate (high/low alerts, resting); blood oxygen (SpO2) | Sleep Coach; Nap detection; Body Battery energy monitoring; HRV Status; Morning Report; Stress tracking; Respiration rate |
Workout Modes | 100+ sports modes; 6 auto-detection modes (running, walking, cycling, swimming, rowing, elliptical); professional analysis for running, tennis, skiing | Strength; HIIT; Cardio; Elliptical; Stair Stepping; Indoor Rowing; Running (Outdoor/Trail/Treadmill); Cycling; Swimming (Pool/Open Water); Obstacle Racing; Triathlon |
Storage | 32 GB ROM + 2 GB RAM (Approx. 4GB reserved for RTOS) | 64MB (History and CIQ apps only; No onboard music storage) |
Speaker Mic | Yes (Built-in speaker and microphone) | — |
Calls | Yes (Bluetooth calling supported in Smart and Power Saver modes) | No (Call notifications only) |
Battery | 500 mAh; Up to 100 hours (Smart Mode); Up to 48 hours (Heavy Use); Up to 12 days (Power Saver Mode) | Smartwatch: Unlimited with solar (28 days without); GPS: Up to 30 hours (48 hours with solar); Expedition GPS: Unlimited with solar |
Charging | VOOC Fast Charging (7.5W); 100% in 60 mins; 1 day power in 10 mins | Garmin proprietary plug charger; Solar charging (Power Glass) |
Weight | 49 g (Watch only) / 80 g (with Fluororubber strap) | 52 g |
Band Sizes | Fits wrist sizes 140–210 mm; standard 22 mm quick-release width | Fits wrists 135-230 mm; Compatible with QuickFit 22 watch bands |
Extras | Dual-Engine architecture (Snapdragon W5 + BES2700); Google Play Store; Google Maps; Google Assistant; Flashlight; Compass; Media controls | Built-in LED Flashlight (White/Red strobe); Safety and Tracking features; Reference Point; TracBack routing |
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OnePlus Watch 2
Rating:★4.6(538)Amazon
Compatibility:Android 8.0+ only (requires GMS 23.45.23+); iOS and Android Go edition NOT supported
Operating System:Wear OS 4 + RTOS (Dual-Engine Architecture)
Case Size:47mm (47.0 x 46.6 x 12.1 mm / 1.85 x 1.83 x 0.47 in)
Case Material:Chassis: Stainless steel; Bottom: Plastic (PC/PC+glass fiber); Cover: 2.5D Sapphire Crystal
Display Type:AMOLED touchscreen
Display Size:1.43 in (3.63 cm)
Resolution:466 x 466 pixels (326 ppi); 600 nits default brightness
Always On Display:Yes
Water Resistance:5 ATM (50 m) + IP68 (1.5m for 30 min)
Durability:MIL-STD-810H certified; Sapphire crystal face; Operating temp: -20°C to 55°C
GPS:Dual-frequency L1 + L5; Beidou, GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS
Connectivity:Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz/5GHz (802.11 a/b/g/n)
NFC Payments:Yes (Google Wallet)
Sensors:Optical heart rate; optical pulse oximeter (SpO2); accelerometer; gyroscope; geomagnetic sensor; light sensor; barometer
Health Features:Sleep tracking (stages, score, snoring risk); OHealth breathing training; stress monitoring; heart rate (high/low alerts, resting); blood oxygen (SpO2)
Workout Modes:100+ sports modes; 6 auto-detection modes (running, walking, cycling, swimming, rowing, elliptical); professional analysis for running, tennis, skiing
Storage:32 GB ROM + 2 GB RAM (Approx. 4GB reserved for RTOS)
Speaker Mic:Yes (Built-in speaker and microphone)
Calls:Yes (Bluetooth calling supported in Smart and Power Saver modes)
Battery:500 mAh; Up to 100 hours (Smart Mode); Up to 48 hours (Heavy Use); Up to 12 days (Power Saver Mode)
Charging:VOOC Fast Charging (7.5W); 100% in 60 mins; 1 day power in 10 mins
Weight:49 g (Watch only) / 80 g (with Fluororubber strap)
Band Sizes:Fits wrist sizes 140–210 mm; standard 22 mm quick-release width
Extras:Dual-Engine architecture (Snapdragon W5 + BES2700); Google Play Store; Google Maps; Google Assistant; Flashlight; Compass; Media controls
✓ Pros:
- • Groundbreaking 100-hour battery life for a full-featured Wear OS watch
- • Premium build with stainless steel chassis and sapphire crystal standard
- • Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5) ensures high accuracy in urban environments
- • Fast charging provides a full day's power in just 10 minutes
- • Fluid performance via Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor
✗ Cons:
- • Available in only one large size (47mm), which may not fit small wrists
- • No LTE/Cellular option available
- • Strictly incompatible with iOS (iPhone)
- • Crown rotates but does not function for scrolling menus
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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 OnePlus Watch 2 is the better buy for most people - its stunning 466x466 AMOLED display crushes the Garmin's monochrome screen. That said, grab the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar if you need extreme durability and potentially unlimited battery life - it's a no-brainer for outdoor enthusiasts.
Who should buy each?
Choose the OnePlus Watch 2 if: you want a vibrant display for daily use, need Bluetooth calling, or prefer fast charging options. (1.73 oz weight, 32 GB storage)
Choose the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar if: you enjoy outdoor adventures with long battery life, need a rugged smartwatch, or want a built-in flashlight for emergencies. (1.83 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?
OnePlus Watch 2 excels if you value groundbreaking 100-hour battery life for a full-featured wear os watch. 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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