Garmin, a leader in fitness trackers and smartwatches, has expanded its Instinct lineup with the new Instinct 3 series. Known for exceptional battery life, the Instinct 3 series builds on this legacy while introducing a significant upgrade: an AMOLED display option. This article explores the key features and improvements of the Garmin Instinct 3.
Upgraded Display and Enhanced Durability
Three colors of the Garmin Instinct 3
The most noticeable change in the Instinct 3 series is the introduction of an AMOLED display option. This caters to users who prefer a vibrant, full-color experience while maintaining impressive battery life, estimated at 24 days on a single charge. For those prioritizing ultimate battery endurance, Garmin retains the monochrome MIP display option with enhanced solar charging capabilities. This solar version boasts a significantly extended battery life, up to five times longer than the Instinct 2 when using GPS for outdoor activities, and potentially unlimited battery life under ideal sunlight conditions. Even in predominantly indoor settings, the solar model can last around 50 days on a single charge.
Side buttons on the Garmin Instinct 3
Adding to its rugged appeal, the Instinct 3 features a metal-reinforced bezel, enhancing its durability and resilience against thermal shock and impact, meeting the MIL-STD-810 standard. It also offers water resistance up to 100 meters, making it suitable for swimming and other water activities.
New Features and Familiar Functionality
Garmin Instinct 3 homescreen
Borrowing from the Fenix 8, the Instinct 3 integrates a built-in flashlight, a first for the Instinct series. This feature provides variable intensities and a strobe mode, useful in various situations, from navigating dark environments to quickly locating items.
Like other Garmin devices, the Instinct 3 offers a comprehensive suite of health and fitness tracking features. These include step tracking, continuous heart rate monitoring, advanced sleep monitoring with HRV (heart rate variability) analysis, and multi-band GPS for accurate workout and run tracking. Users receive daily reports summarizing their activities, sleep, and HRV data, along with a preview of their daily calendar.
Pricing, Availability, and Color Options
Flashlight on the Garmin Instinct 3
The Instinct 3 is available in two sizes, 45mm and 50mm, and several colorways. Classic black and black/charcoal options are available for a discreet look, while the limited-edition Tropical collection offers vibrant blue and light green options with a unique bronze metal frame. These straps will also be sold separately.
The Instinct 3 Solar starts at $400 for the 45mm model and $450 for the 50mm model. The AMOLED version starts at $450 for the 45mm model and $500 for the 50mm variant. Both models are available for order from January 10, with shipping dates yet to be announced.
Conclusion
Morning report on the Garmin Instinct 3
The Garmin Instinct 3 series represents a significant evolution of the rugged smartwatch line. The introduction of the AMOLED display option, alongside the enhanced solar model, caters to a wider range of user preferences. With its robust build, comprehensive features, and extended battery life, the Instinct 3 reinforces Garmin’s position in the outdoor and fitness smartwatch market.
